Honduran Accused of Vehicular Homicide After Fatal Head-On DUI Collision Kills Two Louisiana Teenagers: Cops
Rylan Oncale (left) and Taliyah Crochet (right) were killed by a drunk driving teen on a Louisiana highway, officials said.
July 27 2024, Published 2:01 p.m. ET
An 18-year-old man from Honduras has been arrested for allegedly driving drunk and causing a fatal crash that killed two Louisiana teenagers and injured two others, according to authorities.
Around 1 a.m. on July 21, Axel Flores-Cordova was driving his 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee on Louisiana Highway 3090 when the teen crossed the center line into the path of a 2023 Kia Rio, driven by Rylan Oncale, 18, according to the Louisiana State Patrol.
While Oncale tried to steer left to move out of the way, Flores-Cordova steered back to the right to correct himself and struck the Kia head on, police said.
Oncale suffered serious injuries and was transported to a hospital, where he died.
His front seat passenger, Taliyah Crochet, 18, died at the scene, officials said.
Both Crochet and Oncale were wearing seatbelts. Police said they are awaiting a toxicology report for Oncale.
Oncale also had two backseat passengers, who suffered moderate injuries. They were taken to an out-of-area hospital for treatment.
State Patrol Sgt. Ross Brennan told WWL-TV that the legal blood alcohol concentration limit for those under 21 is .02, while it’s .08 for those over 21. Flores-Cordova was found to be seven times the legal underage limit.
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"The reason why it’s so low is a young person, they’re lacking the experience behind the wheel,” Brennan said. “They’re already susceptible to being involved in a crash. Couple that with the effects of alcohol and drug impairment, chances of getting involved in a serious crash significantly rise.”
Flores-Cordova, who was not injured in the crash, was arrested and charged with two counts of vehicular homicide, two counts of vehicular negligent injuring, driving while intoxicated, open alcoholic container in vehicle, driving left of center, no driver’s license, and no seatbelt, authorities said.
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He is from Honduras and was being held by Immigration and Naturalization Service.
Devv Deen, Crochet’s mother, told WWL-TV that was struggling to grasp "the fact that, like it’s really just over, like, they’re gone.”
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