Malachi Antoine, 22, died after a two-vehicle crash on Perkins Road near Bles Avenue in Baton Rouge on September 15, 2026. The other driver remained in critical condition when the latest reports were published.
Baton Rouge police preliminarily reported that an eastbound vehicle left Perkins Road, struck a curb, overturned and hit a vehicle waiting to enter the road from Bles Avenue. Police also described the eastbound vehicle as appearing to travel at a high rate of speed.
One Vehicle Overturned Before Hitting the Other
WAFB and WBRZ placed the crash at approximately 7:20 to 7:25 a.m. in the 7900 block of Perkins Road.
The second vehicle was reportedly waiting at Bles Avenue to enter Perkins Road when the overturned vehicle struck it. Both drivers were initially taken to a hospital in critical condition. Antoine later died.
WBRZ identified the vehicles as a Chevrolet Impala and Dodge Ram. The reports reviewed do not clearly say which one Antoine was driving. That assignment should not be guessed.
“Apparent High Rate of Speed” Is a Preliminary Observation
Police’s speed description may be important, but the public reports do not include a calculated speed, event-data download, witness estimate or video analysis.
The vehicle’s electronic data, curb and roadway marks, rollover path and damage to both vehicles may allow a more reliable speed analysis. The investigation should also determine why the vehicle left the roadway. Speed may be part of that explanation without being the only relevant fact.
No arrest or citation was reported in the sources reviewed.
The Surviving Driver’s Position and Prognosis Matter
The surviving driver’s legal position may differ depending on whether that person was driving the vehicle waiting at Bles Avenue or the eastbound vehicle. The public reports do not resolve that point.
A driver who was stopped and waiting to enter Perkins Road may have had little or no opportunity to avoid an overturned vehicle. If the surviving driver controlled the vehicle that left the road, the fault and coverage analysis would be different.
The reported critical condition also means a quick settlement would be premature. Future medical care, rehabilitation, disability and earning loss cannot be evaluated responsibly until the prognosis is clearer.
Preserve Both Vehicles and Nearby Video
Both vehicles should remain available for inspection and any recoverable crash-data download. Nearby homes, apartments and businesses may have video showing the eastbound vehicle before it left the roadway. Original recordings should be requested promptly.
Medical, funeral and insurance records should be kept together. The family and injured driver should understand the scope of any release before signing it.
Anyone with information may contact Crime Stoppers at 225-344-7867. For help evaluating the civil and insurance issues after this crash, contact Babcock Injury Lawyers.
Sources
- WAFB: Perkins Road crash kills Malachi Antoine
- WBRZ: BRPD identifies person killed in Perkins Road crash
- Louisiana Civil Code article 2323
- Louisiana Civil Code article 2315.1
- Louisiana Civil Code article 2315.2
- La. R.S. 22:1295: Uninsured motorist coverage
Editorial & Legal Accuracy Notice (Louisiana)
This article is based on the linked reports attributing the preliminary account to Baton Rouge police. The sources reviewed did not clearly identify which vehicle Antoine drove, provide a calculated speed, identify the surviving driver or report a final fault determination. This article is general information, not advice about a particular claim.