Gardere, Louisiana — A quiet Monday evening turned tragic on April 6 when a speeding vehicle failed to make a curve on River Road just south of Gardere Lane and smashed into a utility pole. Two young men, Zacariah Johnson, 20, and Marquis Duncan Jr., 15, died instantly. A third man, about 30 years old, was rushed to a hospital but later died from his injuries.
The crash happened around 8:40 p.m., not far from the L’Auberge Casino area. First responders found the wreckage and quickly realized the severity of the situation. Both young victims were declared dead at the scene. The third person, critically injured, was taken to a nearby trauma center where he later passed away. Investigators have not released his name yet as family members are still being notified.
According to deputies, the vehicle was heading northbound when it went off the road and hit the pole. Early findings suggest speed may have played a role in the crash. Toxicology results are still pending, and officials continue to investigate what led to the deadly impact.
The St. George Fire Department closed River Road from L’Auberge Crossing to the parish line after the crash. Drivers were told to find alternate routes while crews worked to clear debris and investigate the scene. Neighbors and local residents were left stunned by the sudden loss of life in their community.
For many in Gardere — an area often called Riverland — the deaths of two teenagers and another adult hit hard. Friends described the young men as full of life and always up for a laugh. The loss of Duncan Jr., especially, has sent shock waves through families who knew him from school, sports, and local events.
Authorities with the East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office are urging anyone with information to come forward as they work to piece together exactly what happened that night. For now, the families of the victims are grieving and the community is trying to make sense of a heartbreaking loss on a stretch of road that is usually just part of the daily commute.
