Evangeline Parish – At approximately 7:45 p.m. on June 21, 2020, Troopers from Louisiana State Police Troop I were notified of a single-vehicle crash on Interstate 49 near mile post 43, north of LA Hwy 29 in Evangeline Parish. The crash claimed the life of 22-year-old Destiny Ates of Pollock.
Preliminary investigation revealed Donald Ates Jr. was driving a 2001 Ford Explorer southbound on I-49. For unknown reasons, his vehicle ran off the roadway and hit a guardrail. After impact, the Explorer began to overturn in the median.
Despite being properly restrained, Destiny Ates suffered fatal injuries. She was pronounced dead at the scene by the St. Landry Parish Coroner’s Office. Donald Ates was unrestrained and was thrown from the vehicle; he suffered moderate injuries. A 7-month-old child was properly restrained and sustained minor injuries. Donald Ates and the child were transported to an area hospital for treatment. Impairment is unknown at this time, but a toxicology sample was taken from Donald Ates for analysis. This crash still remains under investigation.