Tragedy struck near Franklinton on Sunday evening.
About 6:30 pm, state troopers and other emergency personnel responded to a two-vehicle crash on Highway 25 just to the north of Windmill Nursery. The crash claimed the lives of three Covington residents, including two children.
The victims were identified as 42-year-old Tequilla Santee, 11-year-old Daniya Carter, and 3-year-old Dylan Wilson.
According to Louisiana State Police, Santee was driving a 2008 Chevrolet Tahoe south on Highway 25 toward Folsom. At the same time, a 2003 Chevrolet Silverado, driven by 18-year-old Logan Schmalz of Franklinton, was northbound on Highway 25. For reasons that were still being investigated at press time on Monday, the Silverado crossed the centerline and struck the Tahoe head-on in the southbound lane.
Although Santee was properly restrained, he was pronounced dead at the scene. Carter and Wilson, the two children in the Tahoe, were unrestrained and they were pronounced dead at the scene. Two more passengers in the Tahoe were critically injured, one of whom was properly restrained and the other unrestrained.
Schmalz, the driver of the Silverado, was properly restrained and he was transported to the hospital with critical injuries. Routine toxicology samples were obtained from both drivers for analysis. The crash remains under investigation and state troopers plan to forward their findings to the 22nd Judicial District Court District Attorney’s office for possible charges.
