The Town of Tangipahoa is mourning the heartbreaking loss of Janya T. D. Butler, a 22-year-old whose life was tragically cut short in a multi-vehicle crash on LA Highway 16 at Dykes Lane in Tangipahoa Parish.
According to Louisiana State Police Troop L, the fatal crash occurred on May 23, 2026, at approximately 1:30 a.m. in Amite. Investigators reported that Butler was driving a 2026 Kia K4 eastbound on LA Highway 16 when, for reasons still under investigation, her vehicle crossed the centerline into the westbound lane.
Authorities said the Kia first struck a 2013 Ford F-150 traveling westbound, causing a violent impact. A 2020 Chevrolet Silverado then collided with the passenger side of the Kia after the initial crash. Emergency responders were dispatched quickly to the scene, but despite their efforts, Janya Butler sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene.
Officials stated that Butler was unrestrained at the time of the crash. The drivers of the other vehicles were evaluated at the scene, with one sustaining minor injuries and the other reported uninjured. Investigators also noted that impairment was suspected in one of the other drivers involved, who was later arrested as part of the ongoing investigation. Toxicology samples were collected from all drivers involved.
As authorities continue to determine the exact sequence of events that led to the crash, family members and the community are left grieving the sudden and devastating loss of a young woman whose life ended far too soon.
Friends and loved ones remember Janya Butler as someone with a bright future, a caring spirit, and a presence that touched those around her. Her passing has left a deep void in the hearts of many across Tangipahoa Parish and beyond.
Louisiana State Police continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash and have urged anyone with information to come forward as they work to fully reconstruct what happened in the early morning hours on LA Highway 16.
As the community mourns, prayers and condolences continue to pour in for Janya T. D. Butler’s family, who are now facing an unimaginable loss.
