ST. CHARLES PARISH, La. — Two families are grieving after their loved ones were killed early Monday morning in St Charles Parish. According to Louisiana State Police, a father who had his three kids in the car was driving on the wrong side of the road and collided with another driver.
Louisiana State Police say just before 6 a.m. Monday on Airline Highway in St Charles Parish a crash happened. LSP says 33-year-old Mathieu Christophe was heading south in the southbound lane. Police say at the same time, 38-year-old Benjamin Alexis and his three kids were traveling north in the southbound lane.
State Trooper Jacob Pucheu says Christophe and Alexis were killed after they collided.
Trooper Pucheu said, "We know from roadway evidence that he was in the left lane, heading south on Airline. When they spoke to his wife, she said she had just seen him; she couldn't believe it."
Alexis's eight- and five-year-old sons also died. His daughter is critical in the hospital. Trooper Pucheu said, "Driving on the wrong side of the road is dangerous on any highway, let alone Airline with it being a major throughway into and out of really the New Orleans metro area."
Trooper Pucheu says the kids did have seatbelts on, but they weren't properly restrained. Louisiana law requires that children to the age of nine... Must stay in either a booster or a child restraint seat, so all three of the children were under nine and should have been in a booster or a child restraint seat."
Peggy Toner says her daughter and Alexis were friends in high school. She said, "He was such a character. He was a good friend with my daughter Amanda. They used to hang around and just cut up when they were in high school."
She went on to say, "God certainly took a good guy up there with him. I guess he didn't want to leave his kids down here, so they're all free together in heaven, and we have some guardian angels to pray for us."
According to the Orleans Parish Sheriff's Office, Mathieu Christophe was a deputy with OPSO from 3/10/2023 to 6/14/2024. In a statement, the office said, "On behalf of everyone at the Orleans Parish Sheriff's Office, Sheriff Hutson extends heartfelt condolences to Deputy Christophe’s family, friends and colleagues. This tragic loss deeply affects us all, and our thoughts and prayers are with those who are grieving."
The crash is still under investigation. LSP says both drivers' toxicology samples were obtained and submitted for analysis.
LSP said, "More information about Louisiana’s Child passenger restraint system law can be found here. Every Louisiana State Police Troop is a nationally recognized Child Seat Fitting Station. Certified car seat technicians are available every Wednesday from 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. at Troop B – 2101 I-10 Service Road Kenner, LA, 70065, and no appointment is necessary. If you have questions about your child’s seat or would like to ensure your seat is installed correctly, please contact Troop B at (504) 471-2775."
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