Franklinton officer terminated, accused in DUI crash that sent 23-year-old to ICU

FRANKLINTON, La. (WVUE) - A Franklinton police officer has been terminated after police say he drunkenly crashed into another vehicle while off-duty, critically injuring another driver.

Former officer Leonard Holloway was booked on April 22 on four counts, including first-degree vehicular negligent injury, operating a vehicle while intoxicated, not wearing a seatbelt, and driving left of the center lane.

Louisiana State Police say Holloway’s truck crossed the center line near the intersection of Hwy. 1077 and Hwy. 1078 in St. Tammany Parish on April 8, striking another vehicle.

The driver of the second vehicle, identified as 23-year-old Seth Klaare, was taken to a hospital in critical condition and was placed on life support. Klaare’s family says the past month has been a nightmare.

“They put him in a coma and he was in ICU until he moved into a room about a week ago,” Klaare’s grandmother Patsy Causey said. “He was having speech therapy. Everyone is encouraged.”

Holloway and his passenger, an employee of the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office, both sustained injuries.

The three-year veteran posted a $120,000 bond and was subsequently released from custody.

An arraignment is scheduled for June 7.

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