St. James Parish, LA (March 9, 2026) – A 5-year-old child died, and several others were hurt after a head-on crash along Louisiana Highway 3213 in St. James Parish.
Emergency units responded shortly before 10 p.m. on Saturday, March 7, to a crash about one mile north of Louisiana Highway 3127. Authorities said a 2019 Hyundai Tucson traveling south crossed the centerline while entering a curve in the roadway.
The Tucson then collided head-on with a northbound 2022 Chevrolet Malibu that was also entering the curve. After the collision, the Hyundai became fully engulfed in flames.
Officials identified the child who died as 5-year-old Demond Tenner. He was a rear passenger in the Chevrolet Malibu and was pronounced dead at the scene. Another passenger in the Malibu, a 4-year-old child, suffered serious injuries in the crash. The drivers and other occupants involved were taken to hospitals with injuries described as moderate to serious.
Authorities continue to investigate the cause of the crash, and more details will be released as soon as they become available.
We extend our sincere condolences to the family of the deceased child.
Why Collisions on Curved Roads Can Be Especially Severe
Head-on crashes are among the most dangerous types of roadway collisions. They occur when two vehicles traveling in opposite directions strike each other front to front, often at combined speeds that increase the force of impact.
Curved sections of roadway can increase the risk of this type of crash. Drivers may have reduced visibility around bends, making it harder to see approaching vehicles in the opposite lane.
Lane control is also more challenging on curves, especially if a vehicle drifts across the centerline. Small steering errors or speed too high for the curve can cause a vehicle to move into oncoming traffic.
Because both vehicles are moving toward each other, the energy released during a head-on collision can be very high. This can lead to significant damage and serious injuries, particularly when passengers are inside smaller vehicles.
