ALEXANDRIA, La. (WNTZ) – Two men were killed in a single-vehicle crash early Saturday morning after fleeing from a Louisiana State Police traffic stop, according to Troop E officials.

The crash occurred shortly before 2 a.m. on April 19 along Louisiana Highway 498 (England Drive) near Powell Lane and claimed the lives of 30-year-old Brandon Wright of Pineville and 33-year-old Aaron Watson of Amite.

A preliminary investigation revealed that a 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee was traveling northbound on MacArthur Drive within Alexandria’s city limits when a Troop E trooper observed the vehicle swerving out of its lane. The trooper attempted to conduct a traffic stop for improper lane usage, but the driver refused to pull over, initiating a high-speed pursuit westbound on LA 498.

Troopers said the pursuit was terminated after the Jeep sped out of sight. Approximately 50 minutes later, while searching the area, a trooper located the vehicle down an embankment and partially submerged in a bayou. The Jeep had apparently failed to navigate a curve and left the roadway.

Both Wright and Watson were found unrestrained inside the vehicle and were pronounced dead at the scene. Authorities have not yet determined which of the two men was driving. Routine toxicology tests are pending as part of the ongoing investigation.

The Louisiana State Police Force Investigation Unit is assisting with the case.

State police reiterated that speeding, impaired driving, and failure to wear seatbelts remain leading factors in fatal crashes. They emphasized that while not all collisions are survivable, seatbelt use significantly reduces the risk of death or serious injury.

The investigation is ongoing.