PONCHATOULA — The Ponchatoula Police Chief is considering pursuing upgraded charges for one person who was arrested in a three-vehicle crash that happened earlier this week in Tangipahoa Parish. The Police Chief tells UWK, “It’s one of the worst crashes Ponchatoula Police Dept. has ever responded to.”
Several victims were in very serious conditions earlier this week, but Chief Bry Layrisson said he has been updated that the conditions of multiple victims have improved. The three children who were initially airlifted to Our Lady of the Lake-Children’s Hospital may be released on Monday, he said.
The mother of those children (Denyelle) and her her fiancé (Malachi) are also improving, Layrisson reported.
Another male victim, Juan Reyes, has had multiple surgeries and is recovering, while his wife Hendi Puerto, remains in critical condition. Their son, Justin Puerto, has already been released, the police chief said.
The crash happened Monday evening around 6:30 p.m. on Highway 51 north near St. Patrick’s Blvd.
The vehicles involved were a 2015 Chevy Silverado, a 2014 GMC Terrain, and a 2024 Hyundai Tuscon. Ponchatoula Police Chief Bry Layrisson says in total, eight people went to area hospitals, including three children.
On Tuesday morning, police officers processed Anthony P. Conley, driver of the Silverado, at the police department before transporting him to the North Oaks Medical Center for medical care. He is charged with one count of hit and run; one count felony obstruction of justice; eight counts misdemeanor negligent injuring; and one count of misdemeanor – operating a vehicle while the license is suspended.
According to officials, Conley and some witnesses said that there were two people in the Silverado, and Conley allegedly told them that he was a passenger, not the driver. After further investigations, officers determined Conley was the driver and only occupant of the truck.
Three drivers and six passengers were involved in Monday’s crash. Eight of those nine were rushed to hospitals around the area: North Oaks Medical Center, Lakeview Hospital, and Our Lady of the Lake-Children’s Hospital. Three of the passengers were children ages 2, 5, and 7-years-old. All three children were airlifted to Children’s Hospital.
Ponchatoula Police officers did take blood samples from Conley and another driver and the crash remains under investigation. An official cause of the crash has not been determined at this time, per Chief Layrisson.
Potential upgraded charges for Conley could include: one count of negligent homicide and one count of vehicular homicide.
Conley remains in the Tangipahoa Parish Jail with a $210,500 bond.
“Based on the totality of the circumstances, with numerous victims suffering from life-threatening injuries, Conley’s extreme negligence and total disregard for the victims’ lives, and his extensive criminal history, the Ponchatoula Police Department will ask the District Attorney’s Office to request that Conley’s sentences be served consecutively,” said Chief Layrisson.
Anyone with information about the crash is urged to contact the Ponchatoula Police Department at 985-386-6548.
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