Southeastern University students killed in I-55 crash

TANGIPAHOA PARISH, La. — Three Southeastern University students were killed early Monday when a car traveling at high speed crashed into a concrete support column along an Interstate 55 on-ramp, according to Louisiana State Police.

The wreck happened around 3:30 a.m. on the northbound I-55 entrance ramp from U.S. Highway 51. Troopers said the 2017 Honda Accord left the roadway and struck a concrete pillar. The driver, a 21-year-old from Hammond, and two passengers — a 20-year-old from Slidell and a 19-year-old from New Orleans — died at the scene.

Southeastern University confirmed that all three victims were enrolled students. In a campus-wide message, university leaders called each student a “beloved and valued member of the Southeastern Family” and asked the community to keep their families in their thoughts and prayers.

The university acknowledged the emotional weight of the loss, saying, “There are simply no words that can adequately express the sorrow we feel.” It encouraged students struggling with the news to reach out to the Counseling Center at (985) 549-3894 or, for off-campus support, the ViaLink Crisis Hotline at (833) 603-0008.

Investigators have not released the students’ names, pending family notification. They said toxicology results are pending as part of the ongoing investigation.

As of Tuesday, May 12, 2026, no further details about the cause of the crash have been announced. Speed remains a critical factor in Louisiana road deaths; the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has cited speeding as a contributing factor in roughly one-third of all fatal crashes across the country. Troopers continue to urge drivers to slow down, especially on interchange ramps.