Melanie Gray and Brinkley Thomas killed in single-vehicle crash

The community of Caldwell Parish is grieving the loss of two people killed in a single-vehicle crash on the morning of September 18. 60-year-old Melanie Gray and 43-year-old Brinkley Thomas lost their lives in an incident that took place on Louisiana Highway 133 near Bellview Lane. 

Gray was behind the wheel of the 2023 Hyundai Elantra as it was heading north on 133. Details explaining what happened next are currently sparse, but the vehicle veered off the road and slammed into a tree. 

The collision sent Gray flying out of the car. Thomas was not ejected from the vehicle. Both individuals were declared dead at the scene of the accident. 

Neither Gray nor Thomas was wearing their seatbelt when the Elantra hit the tree. It’s uncertain whether or not their potential restraint would have saved their lives, but it might have prevented Gray from being flung from the car.

Toxicology samples were collected from the scene to determine whether impairment was a factor in the car’s devastating swerve off the road. 

It’s not known at this time if the victims were related to one another.

The Johnson Firm would like to remind readers that wearing a seatbelt is always a good idea, even if it feels like a hindrance. We can be reached at (337) 433-1414 in case you or a loved one was injured in a car accident.