As reported by WWLT-TV, Crochet and Oncale were driving with two other people in the car with them when Flores-Cordova crossed over the centerline of the highway in a Jeep at approximately 1:00 a.m. and collided with their vehicle.
According to KATC, Flores-Cordova wasn't wearing a seatbelt and was unharmed, however, both Oncale and Crochet were wearing their seatbelts. Crochet suffered fatal injuries and died at the scene, while Oncale was transported to an area hospital and later succumbed to his injuries.
The two other passengers were moderately injured and were hospitalized as well. Both of the surviving passengers were in stable condition as of this report.
Flores-Cordova was determined to be impaired and was placed under arrest. He was reportedly booked for two counts of vehicular homicide, two counts of first-degree vehicular negligent injuring, DWI first offense, open alcoholic container in vehicle, driving left of center, no driver’s license, and no seatbelt the outlet reported.
LSP Sgt. Ross Brennan told WWLT that the suspect's blood alcohol content was nearly seven times the legal limit for a minor. He explained that "Louisiana the under-age driving limit is .02 for alcohol, of course in adults .08, the reason why it's so low is a young person they're lacking the experience behind the wheels, they're already susceptible to being involved in crash, couple that with the effects of alcohol and drug impairment, chances of getting involved in a serious crash significantly rise."
It’s just not right. Unspeakable grief. Two beautiful Louisiana American teenagers killed by a drunk driving illegal alien.
— Rep. Clay Higgins (@RepClayHiggins) July 23, 2024
Two more American families destroyed by Mayorkas and Biden.
Becca and I are heartbroken for the kids and their family but I’m also enraged and I’m… pic.twitter.com/Vkc69PhwwT
Congressman Clay Higgins (R-LA) commented on the tragic accident in a post to X on Tuesday writing, "It’s just not right. Unspeakable grief. Two beautiful Louisiana American teenagers killed by a drunk driving illegal alien. Two more American families destroyed by Mayorkas and Biden. Becca and I are heartbroken for the kids and their family but I’m also enraged and I’m ready to see Mayorkas take that long walk."
“[Two] innocent teens in my district were killed by a Honduran national driving without a license at 7x the blood alcohol limit,” Republican House Majority Leader Steve Scalise said in a statement. “These are the tragic consequences of the Biden-Harris open border. Pray for the families of the young lives we lost. No parent should have to endure this.”
The mother of Crochet, Devin Dean, described the victims and her grief to reporters. She said, "It’s just so hard, these kids work so hard, so hard for 18-year-olds, they had such old souls… And now it’s all just gone, and I am having such a hard time grasping the fact that like it’s really just over. Like, they’re gone.”She added, “I woke up this morning just infuriated, if my anger could’ve blown up this world it would’ve, because I was so angry, I just kept screaming.”
Flores-Cordova is being held at the Lafourche Parish Detention Center and has been placed on detainer by the Immigration and Naturalization Service in addition to the charges he faces.
