Tequilla Santee, Daniya Carter Obituary, Death – A tragic head-on collision in Washington Parish on December 15 resulted in the deaths of three people, including two children. The fatal crash occurred around 6:30 p.m. on Highway 25, near Stafford Road, and involved two vehicles.
According to Louisiana State Police, the victims were 42-year-old Tequilla Santee and her two passengers, 11-year-old Daniya Carter and 3-year-old Dylan Wilson, all from Covington. Santee was driving a 2008 Chevrolet Tahoe southbound on Highway 25 when the incident occurred. The other vehicle involved, a 2003 Chevrolet Silverado, was driven by 18-year-old Logan Schmalz from Franklinton.
State police reported that Schmalz’s vehicle crossed the centerline into the southbound lane, where it collided head-on with Santee’s Tahoe. Despite being properly restrained, Santee was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash. Carter and Wilson, who were not wearing seatbelts, also died at the scene.
Two other passengers in Santee’s vehicle, one of whom was properly restrained and the other unrestrained, sustained critical injuries. They were quickly transported to a local hospital for medical treatment. Schmalz, who was wearing his seatbelt, also suffered serious injuries and was taken to the hospital.
As part of the ongoing investigation, toxicology samples were collected from both drivers. State police will forward the findings to the 22nd Judicial District Court District Attorney’s office to assess whether any criminal or traffic violations occurred during the crash.
The Louisiana State Police have urged all drivers and passengers to wear seatbelts, as the safety measure is crucial in preventing fatalities in accidents like this one. The crash serves as a somber reminder of the importance of seatbelt use, especially in high-impact collisions.
At this time, the cause of the crash remains under investigation, but the loss of three lives, including two young children, has devastated the families involved. Authorities continue to look into the circumstances surrounding the crash to determine any potential contributing factors, including whether alcohol or other substances may have been involved.
The community is left grieving the tragic loss of Tequilla Santee, Daniya Carter, and Dylan Wilson, as well as the critical injuries sustained by the other passengers and Schmalz. The families affected by this horrific accident are receiving support from local authorities, and the investigation is expected to continue as officials work to understand the events leading up to the fatal crash.