Two killed in accident

Two children and an additional passenger were killed in an accident at 6:20 p.m. Oct. 24 on I-20 East near the Rayville exit.

Louisiana State Police Troop F  aid the initial investigation revealed a 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt, driven by 33-year-old Eswin Agustin of Monroe, was traveling westbound on Interstate 20.  For reasons still under investigation, the driver lost control of the vehicle, traveled off the right side of the road, and struck a large tree. 

 Agustin’s passengers, identified as 37-year-old Jamie McIlvoy of Monroe and 6-year-old Luz Diaz of Monroe, were both pronounced dead at the scene by the Richland Parish Coroner’s Office.  Agustin and a third passenger were taken to local hospitals with serious injuries. On Oct. 26, the third passenger in Agustin’s vehicle, identified as 10-year-old Priscilla Suazo of Monroe was pronounced dead.       

Agustin  was arrested Oct. 27 and charged with three counts of vehicular homicide, possession of schedule II, careless operation, no driver’s license, child restraint, and possession of an alcoholic beverage inside the vehicle.  

He was booked into Richland Parish Jail. 

State Police say buckling up is the most effective way to protect yourself in a crash. 

 Failure to take a few seconds to buckle up can have devastating consequences.  Louisiana law requires every person in a vehicle, regardless of seating position, to be properly restrained day or night.

 Louisiana State Police would like to remind all motorists that if you feel differently, you drive differently. 

Alcohol, prescription drugs, and other drugs have many effects on the body that negatively affect driving skills.  These drugs can impair visual ability, alter the sense of time and space, impair fine motor skills needed to operate a motor vehicle, and decrease reaction times.  

Motorists are encouraged to plan ahead and designate a sober driver.  Not doing so can have deadly consequences.

 In 2020, Troop F has investigated 41 fatal crashes resulting in 45 deaths.