A tragic high-speed police chase in Louisiana has resulted in a lawsuit against several law enforcement officers and the Concordia Parish Sheriff's Office. The complaint, filed by Stephanie Tyson on March 17, 2025, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Louisiana, accuses Ben Ceasor and others of negligence and reckless conduct leading to the death of Jason Tyson and serious injuries to his son Koen Tyson.
The plaintiffs, Stephanie Tyson, Carla Lee, and Madison Tyson, allege that on March 18, 2024, a police pursuit initiated by Deputy Billy Ray Farmer led to a catastrophic crash involving Jason Tyson's vehicle. According to the complaint, Deputy Farmer engaged in a high-speed chase with Ben Ceasor through downtown Ferriday after spotting a vehicle linked to an aggravated assault investigation. The chase reportedly involved multiple deputies who ignored traffic signals at excessive speeds. Tragically, this pursuit ended when Ceasor collided with Jason Tyson's Ford F-150 on US-65, causing it to overturn and ultimately resulting in Jason's death.
Stephanie Tyson claims that her son Koen suffered severe injuries and emotional trauma from witnessing his father's demise. The lawsuit accuses the Concordia Parish Sheriff's Office (CPSO) of failing to properly train or supervise its deputies regarding pursuit policies. It alleges that CPSO condoned dangerous driving practices during chases, which led to this fatal incident. "The actions of Deputy Farmer, Deputy Sims, and Deputy White were reckless," states the complaint.
The plaintiffs seek compensatory damages for wrongful death and personal injury under state law negligence claims against both Ceasor and the deputies involved. They also pursue federal claims under 42 U.S.C. §1983 for violations of constitutional rights due to excessive force used during the chase. Additionally, they demand punitive damages against individual deputies for their conduct during this tragic event.
Represented by attorneys Jean-Paul Layrisson and Anne B. Hoskins from Scandurro & Layrisson L.L.C., the plaintiffs request a jury trial seeking justice for their loss. The case is identified as Case No. 1:25-CV-330.