With heavy hearts, the Lafayette community mourns the devastating loss of Cherita Washington, 36; Chase Washington, 17; and Joseph Prejean, 21, whose lives were tragically taken in a fatal multi-vehicle crash that unfolded in the early morning hours along the busy intersection of Johnston Street and E. Broussard Road. What began as an ordinary Tuesday morning ended in unimaginable sorrow, leaving families shattered and a city united in grief.
According to preliminary findings from the Lafayette Police Department’s Traffic Unit, the collision occurred around 5:13 a.m. when Vehicle #1 was traveling westbound at a high rate of speed in the 100 block of E. Broussard Road. At the intersection, Vehicle #2 was stopped at a red light, preparing to turn right onto Johnston Street, when it was violently struck from behind. The sheer force of the impact pushed Vehicle #2 forward into Vehicle #3, which was stationary and waiting to turn left onto E. Broussard Road from Johnston Street.
After the initial collisions, Vehicle #1 continued through the intersection before striking a wooden electrical pole, causing further destruction and prompting an extensive emergency response.
Tragically, the crash claimed the lives of three individuals. The occupants of Vehicle #2 were identified as Cherita Washington and Chase Washington, both of Duson, Louisiana—a mother and child whose bond was unbreakable, taken together in a single, heartbreaking moment. The driver of Vehicle #1, Joseph Prejean of Lafayette, also succumbed to his injuries. A fourth individual from Vehicle #3 sustained minor to moderate injuries and was transported to a local hospital, where they are reported to be in stable condition.
First responders arrived swiftly, establishing a secure crime scene as emergency medical personnel worked tirelessly. Utility crews were called to repair the damaged electrical pole, and both northbound and southbound lanes of Johnston Street at E. Broussard Road were closed for several hours as investigators worked through the wreckage. Motorists were urged to seek alternate routes while the investigation continued.
As the morning progressed, police confirmed the loss of three lives at the scene. Later updates indicated that all roadways have since reopened, though the investigation remains active, with additional details to be released as they become available.
Beyond the facts of the crash lie the lives forever changed. Cherita Washington was a devoted mother whose love and guidance shaped her family’s world. Chase Washington, just 17 years old, stood at the threshold of adulthood, with dreams still unfolding and a future full of promise. Joseph Prejean, only 21, was a young man whose life ended far too soon, leaving loved ones to grapple with sudden loss and unanswered questions.
This tragedy serves as a sobering reminder of how fragile life is and how quickly everything can change. In the wake of this loss, the Lafayette community comes together—holding space for grief, offering prayers for healing, and extending heartfelt condolences to the families and friends left behind.
May the memories of Cherita Washington, Chase Washington, and Joseph Prejean be carried forward with love. May their families find strength in one another and comfort in the compassion of a community that mourns alongside them.
Rest in peace. You are remembered. You are loved. You will not be forgotten.
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