Benton, Louisiana — A quiet stretch of Merritt Road turned into a scene of sudden devastation Saturday night after a utility terrain vehicle crash claimed the lives of two residents, including a 10-year-old girl, and left another juvenile injured in Bossier Parish.
The crash involved a 2012 Polaris Ranger traveling eastbound near Merry Lane in Benton. For reasons still under investigation, the vehicle left the roadway and overturned. All three people inside were thrown out during the rollover.
Authorities say none of the occupants were wearing seat belts or DOT-approved helmets at the time of the crash. That detail is now a central part of the ongoing investigation.
The driver was identified as 10-year-old Bella Cassell of Benton. She was rushed to a local hospital after the crash but later died from her injuries. Her death has left a deep wound in the community, where she was known as a young life full of promise.
Also killed was 31-year-old Callie Durbin, who was seated in the front passenger seat. She was pronounced dead at the scene, before emergency crews could transport her. The news of her death has added another layer of grief for families and friends.
A third passenger, also a juvenile and seated in the front area of the vehicle, survived but suffered moderate injuries. The child was taken to a nearby hospital and is receiving medical care.
Investigators with state authorities are still working to determine what caused the vehicle to leave the road. They have not confirmed whether speed, terrain, or other conditions played a role in the crash.
As the investigation continues, the Benton community is left grieving two sudden losses. Neighbors, friends, and families are trying to make sense of how a routine evening turned into a tragedy that changed everything in seconds.
