Louisiana State Police released video evidence on October 7, 2025, alleging that former LSU football player Kyren Lacy’s reckless driving triggered a chain of events leading to a fatal crash in December 2024, which killed 78-year-old Herman Hall. The release aims to address public questions about the investigation, as Lacy’s attorney had previously contested the charges, and the case gained attention due to Lacy’s status as an NFL draft prospect and his subsequent death by suicide in April 2025.
On December 17, 2024, Lacy was driving a green Dodge Charger southbound on Louisiana Highway 20 in Lafourche Parish when he illegally passed four vehicles in a no-passing zone at an extremely high speed, according to police reports. His actions forced a northbound pickup truck to brake abruptly and swerve off the roadway to avoid a head-on collision. The driver of a vehicle behind the pickup, reacting to the sudden maneuver, swerved left into the southbound lane and collided with a Kia Sorento, resulting in the death of Herman Hall, a passenger in that vehicle.
Police compiled surveillance and body camera footage showing Lacy’s Charger passing vehicles moments before the crash, with witnesses at the scene identifying the green car as the cause. The evidence indicated that Lacy did not stop after the incident and continued driving, with his first outgoing phone call made to a defense attorney within ten minutes of the crash. This behavior contributed to charges including felony negligent homicide, hit and run, and reckless driving filed against him in January 2025.
The released video narrative detailed how Lacy’s return to the southbound lane was followed by aggressive braking and the sound of the crash, supporting the police conclusion that his driving proximately caused the fatal collision. Despite no direct contact between Lacy’s vehicle and the others involved, Louisiana law allows for vehicular homicide charges when a driver’s actions set off a chain of events leading to death. The investigation relied on 21 video sources and forensic analysis to reconstruct the events.
Lacy’s attorney, Matthew Ory, publicly disputed the charges, claiming that video evidence showed Lacy had returned to his proper lane over 90 yards before the crash and was not at fault. Ory alleged that police coerced witness statements, pointing to body camera footage where an officer instructed a driver to emphasize braking to avoid the Charger. These claims prompted calls for an independent investigation from groups like the Louisiana Legislative Black Caucus, raising concerns about transparency in the case.
Lacy died on April 12, 2025, in Houston from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound during a police pursuit, just days before a grand jury was scheduled to review the evidence for possible indictment. The incident followed a domestic dispute where Lacy discharged a firearm, leading to the pursuit. His death added a tragic layer to the case, with LSU coach Brian Kelly expressing grief and emphasizing Lacy’s positive legacy as a teammate.
In response to the controversy, Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill affirmed that the evidence supported Lacy’s role in initiating the crash, noting that witnesses consistently identified his Charger. She stated that the district attorney’s office was prepared to present the case to a grand jury for a decision on charges, underscoring the legal principle that indirect causation can still warrant liability under state statute.
The release of evidence seeks to provide clarity amid conflicting narratives, but it has also ignited debates over police accountability and the handling of high-profile cases. Moving forward, authorities may face continued scrutiny, with potential reviews into the investigation’s integrity, while the community remembers Hall as a veteran and Lacy as a talented athlete whose life ended amid unresolved legal battles.
