Both teens were ejected from a stolen Ford Escape after it slammed into a sign pole off Interstate 55, ending a high-speed chase that began several miles earlier. The deadly crash occurred near Exit 119 late Wednesday night, according to the Mississippi Highway Patrol. Authorities confirmed that 18-year-old Laqaughn Johnson died at the scene, while a 16-year-old passenger was critically injured and later pronounced dead while being transported to the hospital.
The chase began when officers attempted to stop the stolen SUV near mile marker 113. Instead of pulling over, the driver accelerated, prompting a pursuit that stretched through several miles of interstate. Witnesses reported seeing the vehicle weaving through traffic at dangerously high speeds before losing control near the exit ramp. The Ford Escape then veered off the roadway,
struck a highway sign pole, and rolled several times, throwing both occupants from the vehicle.Emergency responders arrived within minutes, but the wreckage made recovery efforts difficult. Officials say neither teen was wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash. A separate collision involving a Gluckstadt police officer responding to the scene occurred nearby but fortunately resulted in no injuries.
The Mississippi Highway Patrol has taken the lead in the investigation, with support from local law enforcement agencies. Troopers are reviewing traffic camera footage, vehicle data, and dashcam recordings to piece together the events leading up to the crash. Investigators will also determine whether speed, impairment, or reckless driving played a role.
The tragic incident has sparked renewed calls for caution and restraint during police pursuits. As the investigation continues, community members are left mourning the loss of two young lives cut short in a moment of desperation and chaos on what began as an ordinary Mississippi night.
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