LAPLACE, La. — Tragedy struck along Interstate 10 near LaPlace earlier this week when a young Baton Rouge woman lost her life in a fiery head-on collision. Authorities confirmed that 21-year-old Patricia Saidu died Tuesday night after her vehicle was struck by an SUV traveling the wrong way on the interstate.
The Louisiana State Police (LSP) reported that the crash occurred around 11 p.m., when the SUV entered I-10 from U.S. 51 heading in the wrong direction. The oncoming vehicle collided directly with Saidu’s car, causing both vehicles to ignite in flames immediately after impact. Despite swift emergency response, Saidu was pronounced dead at the scene.
The driver of the SUV, whose identity has not yet been released, sustained severe injuries and was transported to a nearby hospital for urgent medical treatment. Authorities have not provided an update on their current condition.
Investigators with LSP are working to determine the events that led to the tragic wrong-way crash. Both drivers are undergoing routine toxicology testing to establish whether impairment played a role in the collision. Officials emphasized that results could take several weeks to return as they continue piecing together the circumstances surrounding the deadly incident.
The accident has shaken both the Baton Rouge and LaPlace communities, as news of Saidu’s untimely passing spreads. Friends and loved ones describe her as a vibrant, kind-hearted young woman whose life was cut tragically short.
State troopers reminded the public of the dangers of impaired and distracted driving, stressing that crashes of this nature can often be prevented. They also urged drivers to remain vigilant and alert, particularly when navigating late-night highways.
The investigation remains active, and further updates will be released by Louisiana State Police as new information becomes available.
