Starks Man Arrested After Two People Die in Wreck

Press Release: Two people were killed in a Saturday morning crash when the vehicle they were riding in ran off highway 109 near Starks , struck several trees and began flipping.

Killed were passengers Benjamin E. Ashworth, 27, from Sulphur and Caleb B. Smith, 19, from Singer. Neither was wearing seatbelts when the vehicle they were riding in began to flip and ejected Ashworth and Smith. Both were pronounced dead at the scene by the Beauregard Parish Coroner. Two other passengers in the vehicle, Jerilyn R. Doyle, 20, from Starks and Eric Rodeghero, 19, from Singer were also ejected from the vehicle. Doyle and Rodeghero were transported to West Calcasieu Cameron hospital with moderate injuries.

According to investigators from Troop D, on February 14 at around 2:00 AM, the 1996 Ford Tarus, driven by David J. Doyle,24, from Starks was traveling north on highway 109 in Beauregard Parish, lost control of his vehicle in a curve, ran off the roadway striking several trees and flipped his vehicle. Doyle received minor injures and was not transported for medical treatment.

Troopers suspect Doyle was driving while impaired and arrested Doyle on charges of Driving while intoxicated, careless operation of a vehicle and vehicular homicide. Doyle was booked into the Beauregard Parish Jail. Doyle admitted to investigators to drinking alcohol and smoking marijuana. Toxicology tests are pending at the Louisiana State Police Crime Lab. The crash remains under investigation.