East Baton Rouge Parish – On May 27, 2020, just before 7:00 p.m., Troopers from Louisiana State Police Troop A began investigating a single-vehicle, fatal crash on Interstate 10 east of Louisiana Highway 3246. This crash claimed the life of a 6-year-old child and left another child with life-threatening injuries.
The initial investigation revealed a 2002 Ford Explorer, driven by 35-year-old Anthony Luke of Baton Rouge, was traveling east on Interstate 10 when a rear tire failed. After the tire failed, Luke overcorrected his steering, which resulted in him losing control of his vehicle. The Explorer traveled off the interstate and crashed into several trees. Two unrestrained children were thrown from the vehicle.
Luke, who was properly restrained, sustained moderate injuries and was taken to a local hospital. An unrestrained 5-year-old child sustained life-threatening injuries and was also transported to a local hospital. A second unrestrained child, 6-year-old Toni Cummings of Baton Rouge, was transported to a local hospital with life-threatening injuries where she was later pronounced dead.
Impairment on the part of Luke is suspected to be a factor in this crash. A toxicology sample was obtained and submitted for analysis. This crash still remains under investigation.