Gibsland – On June 15, 2025, at approximately 5:00 p.m., Troopers from Louisiana State Police Troop G responded to a two-vehicle crash on Interstate 20 near Louisiana Highway 154. The crash claimed the life of 32- year-old Lauren Carkeet of Lewisville, TX.
The preliminary investigation revealed that a 2010 GMC Acadia, driven by 29-year-old Joshua Ware of Prosper, TX., was traveling west on Interstate 20. For reasons still under investigation, the GMC exited the roadway and collided with a parked 18-wheeler occupied by another motorist.
Ware, who was properly restrained at the time of the crash, sustained minor injuries and was transported to a local hospital for treatment. Carkeet, who occupied the front passenger seat, was ejected from the vehicle and pronounced deceased at the scene. Due to the severity of the crash, restraint use for Carkeet is still being determined. The occupant of the parked vehicle was not injured. Impairment on the part of Ware is not suspected; however, standard toxicology samples were collected and submitted for analysis. This crash remains under investigation.
Troopers often witness the tragic consequences of preventable crashes. Never operating a vehicle while impaired, fatigued, or distracted is essential, and always obey the posted speed limit. While not all crashes are survivable, taking these simple precautions can mean the difference between life and death.