The quiet afternoon of Friday in Kaplan turned tragic when two locals, 65-year-old Julien Lawrence, Jr. and 41-year-old Alexis Jackson, lost their lives in a severe head-on collision just east of Pirates Lane on Louisiana Highway 14 in Vermilion Parish. The crash, which unfolded shortly after 2:00 p.m., has shaken the community.
According to a statement by Louisiana State Police Troop I, Lawrence was driving a 2003 Ford Crown Victoria eastbound when it collided with a 2023 Cadillac Escalade traveling westbound. As the two vehicles approached a small bridge on the highway, one of them crossed the center line and struck the other vehicle head-on. At this stage of the investigation, authorities have not determined which driver veered into the opposing lane.
When emergency crews arrived, the scene was grim. Julien Lawrence sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene, as was Jackson, who had been seated in the rear of the Ford. The driver and passenger of the Cadillac, along with another passenger from the Ford, were rushed to local hospitals with injuries; their current condition has not been released.
In line with standard procedures for fatal collisions, toxicology samples were collected from both vehicle drivers and submitted for analysis as part of the ongoing investigation into the causes of the crash. Meanwhile, investigators are also looking into whether seat belts were being worn by all occupants and what role, if any, distraction or impairment played in the crash.
The impact of the crash has rippled through the Kaplan community, where both Lawrence and Jackson were long-time residents known for their warmth and connection to family and friends. While details of memorial services have not yet been released, neighbors say the two will be deeply missed, and a vigil is expected as family and friends gather to remember their lives.
Local law-enforcement officials have reiterated a somber reminder following the crash: on two-lane highways like Highway 14, where opposing traffic shares a narrow path and bridges can present additional risk, even a moment’s inattention or a slight deviation can lead to tragedy. The message is clear—stay alert, avoid distractions, and use caution especially when driving through curves or bridges.
As the investigation continues, the legacy of Julien Lawrence, Jr. and Alexis Jackson will live on in Kaplan—a community united now in grief, remembrance, and the firm hope that from this loss comes renewed vigilance on its roads. Gone too soon, but never forgotten.
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