Louisiana State Police release video of fatal car crash involving Kyren Lacy

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — Louisiana State Police have released video evidence in a fatal car accident in 2024 what authorities claim was caused by the reckless driving of Kyren Lacy, a former Louisiana State University football star who killed himself days before a grand jury was convened to review the case.

The 11-minute video released Tuesday followed other footage provided to a Louisiana television station by Matthew Ory, Lacy’s defense attorney, who said it showed the former wide receiver could not have caused the wreck because he was too far from the collision. In a statement, Louisiana State Police defended their initial findings that Lacy was responsible and urged the public “to rely on the totality of the facts.”

Louisiana’s attorney general said this week that the case remains under investigation, but maintained that eyewitnesses identified Lacy as being behind the deadly December crash. Louisiana Democratic lawmakers have called for an investigation, and LSU coach Brian Kelley has faced new questions about the matter.

Here are a few things to know.

Deadly crash on Louisiana highway

In December 2024, Lacy allegedly “recklessly” drove a green Dodge Charger – speeding and crossing into the oncoming traffic lane to pass cars in a no-passing zone, according to Louisiana State Police.

In an attempt to “avoid impact” with Lacy, a driver swerved and crashed head-on into another vehicle, police said. Herman Hall, 78, died in the crash.

Police said Lacy “fled” the scene of the crash without stopping to render help or call 911.

Lacy, 24, who had declared for the 2025 NFL draft, turned police and was charged with negligent homicide, hit-and-run and reckless operation of a vehicle. He was released on bail.

Days before a grand jury hearing on his case in April, Lacy died of complications from a apparent suicide after fleeing a traffic stop near Houston and being chased by police, authorities said.

The lawyer says Lacy was too far behind the accident to take blame:

Nearly six months after Lacy’s death, his defense attorney went to a local news station in Houma, Louisiana, on Friday and presented what he said was evidence showing the LSU wide receiver was too far behind December’s deadly wreck to be at fault.

Ory, who did not respond to an email seeking comment, acknowledged that Lacy had passed several cars, but questioned how Lacy could be responsible for an accident that happened so far in front of him.

After Ory released footage of the crash, Louisiana State Police released their report. own video tuesday. The agency detailed its findings, releasing a timeline, an accident report, interviews with witnesses at the scene and surveillance footage — where the collision can be heard and the Dodge Charger can be seen, but the wreck itself is out of sight.

A narrator in the agency’s video said state police “never reported” that the Charger “hit” any of the vehicles involved.

“However, all of the evidence collected supports the conclusion that Lacy’s reckless driving of the green Charger into oncoming traffic set off a chain of events involving the other drivers, ultimately resulting in the fatal accident,” the narrator said.

Calls for more investigations

On Monday, the Louisiana Democratic Party called on Republican state Attorney General Liz Murrill to launch a “full-scale” investigation into the “unwarranted accusations against Mr. Lacy.”

In a statement to The Associated Press on Tuesday, Murrill said she was reviewing all the evidence in the case, but added that “the evidence is not in dispute.”

She said the Lafourche Parish District Attorney’s Office was prepared to present evidence to a grand jury, including showing that Lacy had returned to his lane of travel while driving; “However, this does not absolve Kyren Lacy of any responsibility in this matter.”

Murrill said “every witness” identified Lacy’s green Dodge Charger as “starting the events” that led to the fatal crash. Murrill said she continues to review evidence provided by state police.

Reaction in the world of football

On Monday, LSU football coach Brian Kelly was asked about Ory’s comments.

“I thought it was a time-consuming process,” Kelly said. “I think I said when this happened that we need to wait until all the information is out. Making these universal statements up front just doesn’t serve anyone.”