SLIDELL — On March 7, 2025, at approximately 8:20 a.m., Troopers with Louisiana State Police Troop L began investigating a serious injury crash involving a pedestrian on Interstate 59 near the Interstate 12 interchange in St. Tammany Parish. The crash ultimately claimed the life of 26-year-old Destiny Lacoste of Slidell.
The initial investigation revealed that two separate crashes occurred in the same general location along Interstate 59 northbound, only minutes apart. The first crash involved a 2019 Ford F-250, driven by 62-year-old Allen P. Martel of Eunice. The Ford was traveling northbound in the left lane. Simultaneously, a 2022 Kia Telluride, driven by Lacoste, was traveling northbound in the left lane behind the Ford. Preliminary findings indicate that the Ford slowed down and attempted to make an illegal left turn on the interstate crossover, resulting in the Kia colliding with the Ford. The Ford came to rest in the median, while the Kia came to rest in the left northbound lane.
Shortly after the initial crash and before emergency personnel arrived, Lacoste exited her vehicle. While she was outside her vehicle, a 2018 Ford F-250 traveling northbound in the left lane struck the stationary Kia, which then struck Lacoste…