Juvenile from Abbeville dies in crash involving stolen SUV

An Abbeville resident reported to the Abbeville Police Department that someone stole her Ford Explorer from her driveway. Two hours later, she learned the vehicle was involved in a high-speed chase that resulted in a juvenile being killed.
The Louisiana State Police Troop I released the name of the passenger killed in a crash near Opelousas as 15-year-old Trashawn Harrison of Abbeville.
Prior to the crash, a trooper observed a Ford Explorer traveling northbound on Hwy 167 at a high rate of speed and attempted to conduct a traffic stop. The driver refused to stop and a pursuit ensued; however, it was soon terminated by the Trooper due to inclement weather and unsafe speeds.
After ending the pursuit, the trooper discovered the Explorer had traveled off the roadway, struck a parked vehicle, overturned, and struck a utility pole before coming to rest.
Further investigation revealed the Explorer was stolen from within the city limits of Abbeville, hours prior to the crash.
At the time of the crash, the Explorer was occupied by four juvenile passengers including Harrison who was unrestrained and ejected from the vehicle. Three other passengers were also unrestrained and were transported to a local hospital with moderate injuries. The suspected juvenile driver fled the scene on foot and is being sought by investigators at this time. The crash remains under investigation and criminal charges are pending.
The four juveniles stole the Ford Explorer from a home in Abbeville.
Residents who live on Frankie Avenue learned Sunday night, early Monday morning, four juveniles were allegedly checking for unlocked vehicles on Frankie Avenue.
The juveniles were captured on video, and the resident who owned the video camera went house to house, alerting the neighbors to check their vehicles. This was around midnight.
Ashley Bossley and Derrick Frederick walked outside to check their SUV, and they noticed it was not in the driveway.
Bossley walked around the house, searching for it.
“My heart dropped to my stomach,” said Bossley went she realized her SUV was gone. “It was unreal to me.”
Bossley called the Abbeville Police Department to report her vehicle stolen. They took her information and put the alert out to other departments in the area. She praised the Abbeville police officers, who took her statement.
“They were awesome and professional,” said Bossley.
The juveniles could steal their SUV because the keys were left in the ignition, Bossley said.
Three hours later, the SUV was spotted in the Sunset area, according to Bossley. A high-speed chase took place, resulting in a crash.
At around 3 a.m. on Monday, Bossley and Frederick received a phone call from law enforcement letting them know their SUV was involved in a crash, and allegedly a juvenile driving the vehicle was killed, she said. Bossley had no information on the juveniles.
They also learned it could take days or weeks before seeing their vehicle again since it was involved in a fatality.
“When I learned there was a fatality, I wanted to cry,” she said. “I do not wish that on anyone. They made a wrong decision and stole a vehicle which resulted in consequences.”
She is upset this took place in Abbeville, a place where she has lived all of her life.
“I am worried because I do not feel safe anymore,” she said. “This is Abbeville not New Orleans. Abbeville is a small town where you should feel safe.”