Kyren Lacy, a former wide receiver at LSU, tragically died by apparent suicide in April, just days before a grand jury was scheduled to review evidence regarding a deadly car accident he was involved in last December. Lacy was facing serious felony charges after a car crash that resulted in the death of 78-year-old Herman Hall, a former Marine. According to reports, Lacy allegedly fled the scene without offering assistance or notifying authorities.
The Louisiana State Police reported that Lacy was driving recklessly, surpassing multiple vehicles at high speed, which led to the fatal incident. Following the December 17 accident, Lacy was charged with negligent homicide, felony hit-and-run, and reckless operation of a vehicle.
In a recent interview, Lacy’s attorney, Matt Ory, defended his client’s innocence, presenting new evidence he believes clears Lacy of responsibility for the accident. Ory referenced a report from the Lafourche Parish District Attorney’s Office, which suggests that the evidence does not support claims that Lacy’s actions were the primary cause of the crash. He asserted that surveillance footage indicates Lacy’s vehicle arrived at the scene after the collision, about 72 yards behind the other vehicles involved.
Ory also pointed out discrepancies in witness statements, claiming that the driver of the vehicle that struck Hall initially stated she swerved to avoid a gold truck, not Lacy’s car. While Lacy did navigate past several vehicles in a no-passing zone, Ory clarified that he was not “actively passing” others during the time of the accident.
Furthermore, Ory expressed concerns regarding the investigation, alleging that evidence was overlooked, including the presence of another passenger in Lacy’s vehicle who could provide critical eyewitness testimony. He emphasized that the accident report suggested Lacy could not have known that his actions caused the crash, stating, “At no point in time did he have to slam his brakes; he wasn’t even close to the second car.”
The circumstances surrounding Lacy’s death were equally tragic. He was found with a self-inflicted gunshot wound on April 12, after leading police on a chase following an incident where he reportedly fired a weapon during a dispute with a family member.
This devastating case highlights the profound impact that mental health struggles can have, particularly in the face of legal adversity. As the investigation continues, it brings attention to the complexities of such tragic incidents and the significance of thorough investigations in clarifying the facts.
If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts, please reach out to the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988, texting “STRENGTH” to the Crisis Text Line at 741741, or visiting 988lifeline.org for support.