BATON ROUGE, La.— A tragic early-morning collision on Friday, July 4, 2025, claimed the life of one man and left another hospitalized with life-threatening injuries after a wrong-way crash on South I-110, according to the Baton Rouge Police Department.
Authorities say the crash occurred around 3:17 a.m. in the 700 block of South I-110, a stretch of highway that cuts through the heart of Baton Rouge. Investigators believe Michael Young, 54, was driving a Jaguar X-Type northbound in the southbound lanes when his vehicle collided head-on with a Dodge Ram traveling in the correct direction.
Emergency responders arrived quickly, but sadly, Young was pronounced dead at the scene. Police confirmed that he was wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash, but the impact of the collision was too severe to survive.
The driver of the Dodge Ram, 32-year-old Darrell Batiste, sustained life-threatening injuries and was transported to a local hospital, where he remains under intensive care. His current condition has not been publicly updated, but doctors are reportedly doing everything they can to stabilize him.
The circumstances that led Young to drive the wrong way remain under investigation. Police have requested toxicology reports for both drivers to determine whether impairment may have been a factor. Those results are still pending, and detectives are urging anyone who may have witnessed the crash or seen Young’s vehicle prior to the collision to contact authorities.
The crash has deeply shaken the local community and serves as a sobering reminder of the dangers of wrong-way driving. Although rare, wrong-way crashes are often catastrophic, frequently resulting in serious injury or death due to their violent, head-on nature.
This incident also adds to the growing number of traffic fatalities across Louisiana in 2025, prompting renewed calls for increased safety measures on the state’s highways, especially in areas known for late-night traffic and impaired driving.
As the investigation continues, the Baton Rouge Police Department is expected to release more details once the toxicology findings are available and additional witness accounts are gathered.
In the meantime, community members are rallying around Darrell Batiste’s family, offering prayers and support as he fights for his life. Friends and relatives of Michael Young are also grappling with the shock of his sudden passing.
This tragic event highlights the urgent need for continued awareness, education, and enforcement around roadway safety. The hope remains that through investigation and reflection, similar tragedies can be prevented in the future.
Anyone with information related to the crash is encouraged to contact the Baton Rouge Police Department’s Traffic Homicide Division.
🕯️ In remembrance of Michael Young and in support of Darrell Batiste, let us all remain vigilant on our roads—every life matters.
