The Louisiana State Police (LSP) on Tuesday unveiled new video footage related to the tragic pileup involving LSU wide receiver Kyren Lacy. This release comes in response to claims from Lacy's lawyer, who asserts to have new evidence that could potentially exonerate the late college football star. The incident, which occurred on December 17, 2024, on Louisiana Highway 20 in Lafourche Parish, resulted in Lacy's legal troubles and culminated in his tragic death by suicide on April 12, 2024.
In a statement released on Tuesday, the LSP emphasized its dedication to conducting a thorough and objective investigation that relies on factual evidence. "While we acknowledge that external narratives may arise, often based on selective information, we urge the public to consider the full body of facts," the statement read. This underscores the police department's commitment to clarity amidst ongoing discussions surrounding the case.
In the 11 1/2-minute video presentation, Louisiana State Police Colonel Robert Hodges stated that the investigation is still active. "As this comprehensive investigation progresses, our understanding of the incident may change as additional evidence is collected, analyzed, and reviewed," he noted. The video footage shows the green Dodge Charger, driven by Lacy, overtaking several vehicles in the opposing lane at a high rate of speed before the crash occurs.
According to the video narration, Lacy's vehicle was recorded traveling south in the wrong lane while passing three passenger vehicles and a loaded 18-wheeler in a designated no-passing zone with a posted speed limit of 40 mph. The footage captures the moment of impact, which was marked by aggressive braking and sudden engine deceleration.
Lacy's attorney, Matt Ory, contends that newly discovered video evidence supports his claim that Lacy was more than 70 yards behind the vehicles involved in the crash. "He's 72.6 yards behind the vehicles at the time of impact," Ory asserted during an interview with HTV in Houma. "That is not how this story was ever painted by authorities." This assertion highlights the ongoing debate about the circumstances surrounding the crash.
The crash resulted in the death of Herman Hall, a 78-year-old Vietnam War veteran. Following the incident, Lacy was charged with negligent homicide, hit-and-run driving, and reckless operation of a vehicle. Witnesses at the scene described the green Charger as a vehicle that caused significant chaos, with one stating, "A green Charger caused all of this."
Kyren Lacy had a promising career in college football, playing five seasons and making a significant impact on the field. He started his collegiate journey at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette before transferring to LSU, where he caught 58 passes for 866 yards and nine touchdowns in the 2024 season. His performance placed him among the top players in the SEC, and he was projected to be a high NFL draft pick prior to the events surrounding the crash.
In the wake of these developments, Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrell defended the local prosecutors' decision to escalate the case to a grand jury. "The evidence is not disputed here. The Lafourche Parish District Attorney’s Office was prepared to present the case to a grand jury that showed Kyren Lacy returning to his lane," she stated. However, she clarified that this does not absolve Lacy of responsibility for the tragic events that unfolded, emphasizing that every witness identified the green Charger as the vehicle that initiated the series of events leading to the fatal head-on collision.
