Man indicted in deadly I-10 wrong-way Laplace crash still missing

Authorities believe Manmeet Singh may have fled Louisiana after the crash that killed 21-year-old Patricia Saidu

Mar. 13, 2026 at 12:04am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A man indicted for a deadly wrong-way crash on Interstate 10 in Laplace, Louisiana last September has not been arrested and may have left the state or country. Manmeet Singh was driving drunk the wrong way on I-10 when he collided head-on with a vehicle driven by 21-year-old Patricia Saidu, who was killed in the fiery crash. Singh was injured but discharged from the hospital before police could arrest him, and attempts to execute an arrest warrant have been unsuccessful as authorities believe he may have fled to California, New York, New Jersey, or even back to India.

Why it matters

This case highlights the challenges law enforcement faces in apprehending suspects who flee after being involved in deadly crashes, especially when alcohol is a factor. It also underscores the tragic loss of a young life and the ongoing pain for the victim's family as they seek justice and closure.

The details

According to Louisiana State Police, Singh was driving drunk the wrong way on I-10 in Laplace when he collided head-on with a vehicle driven by 21-year-old Patricia Saidu of Baton Rouge. Both vehicles caught fire, and Saidu was trapped inside her burning car and pronounced dead at the scene. Singh was injured and airlifted to a hospital, but was discharged before officers could follow up. Authorities say his blood alcohol content was 0.216 at the time of the crash. On Oct. 21, a grand jury in St. John Parish indicted him on a charge of vehicular homicide, but he has not yet been located.

  • The deadly crash occurred in September 2025.
  • Singh was indicted by a grand jury on October 21, 2025.
  • Authorities attempted to execute an arrest warrant on October 1, 2025, but Singh could not be physically moved at that time due to his injuries.

The players

Manmeet Singh

A man indicted for a deadly wrong-way crash on Interstate 10 in Laplace, Louisiana that killed 21-year-old Patricia Saidu. His blood alcohol content was 0.216 at the time of the crash.

Patricia Saidu

A 21-year-old woman from Baton Rouge who was killed in the fiery wrong-way crash on I-10. She had recently graduated from Xavier University of Louisiana and planned to become a pediatrician.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Every child would want Patricia to be theirs. Every parent who has a daughter wants Patricia as their own.”

— Solange Messi Van Camp

“We are in the sixth month since this accident took place. Patricia was taken away from us in a very tragic manner.”

— Patrick Saidu, Patricia Saidu's father

“I'm pleading with them. I am a mother. I'm a grieving mother. My daughter did not deserve the way she died. That's the most painful death. We need justice. I want my daughter to rest. I'm begging, pleading with the entire world to help me. I need justice. I want my daughter to rest. And I want us to have closure.”

— Martha Saidu, Patricia Saidu's mother

What’s next

The case is paused until Singh is in custody. He is scheduled to appear in court next week, but authorities are unsure if he is still in the country.

The takeaway

This tragic case highlights the urgent need for stronger enforcement and accountability measures to prevent drunk driving and ensure justice is served when such devastating crashes occur. The Saidu family's plea for closure underscores the lasting impact on victims' loved ones when perpetrators evade capture.