Driver Nearly Misses Head-on Collision in St. Landry Parish

OPELOUSAS — Sidney Carroll says he nearly died while driving to work in St. Landry Parish on Tuesday afternoon.

“And before I knew it, this car passed me and just took off in the wrong direction,” Carroll said.

Imagine you’re driving to work—making your normal commute—and then this happens: A car is approaching you in the wrong direction at 125 miles per hour.

Driver Sydney Carroll says the terrifying moment was captured on his dashboard camera. He then posted the video on his social media page, which received over 100,000 views.

According to the St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Office, the driver of the other car was in the middle of fleeing police heading east on US 190 toward Port Barre.

Police say the driver, Kenan Diquan Charles, crossed the median while traveling west on US 190 into oncoming traffic.

Charles was wanted by police for drug possession and trafficking.

“It happened so fast that I didn’t know what to think, and then it dawned on me that I was almost on the verge of death,” Carroll said.

Carroll says he is lucky and grateful to be alive.

“I could be at the funeral home right now,” Carroll said.

For the safety of other drivers, the sheriff’s office called off the pursuit.

Charles is still at large and wanted by police; he faces two charges: aggravated fleeing a police officer and aggravated assault on a police officer with a vehicle.

“Once you see the car, it’s too late; thank God I didn’t answer because that way he could answer because he had no room for error,” Carroll said.

Anyone with additional information about this crime can call the St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Office at 337-948-6516. You can also call Crime Stoppers at 337-948-TIPS, download the P3 app to your mobile device, or simply dial **TIPS on your cell phone to receive a tip. All calls are anonymous and a cash reward may be available for information leading to an arrest.