“The Power Ranger” Keland Simmons, a rising MMA fighter out of Lafayette, LA, and the #11th ranked Pro Mens Bantamweight in the state, was killed along with his mother, Yoloda Simmons, in a fiery 10-vehicle I-12 crash that killed a total of four people.
According to the traffic report, police responded to a call about a serious multi-vehicle crash at about 4 p.m. on I-12 east of LA 21, in Covington, LA.
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An 18-wheeler was traveling in the right lane on I-12, approaching the congestion. Troopers said the 18-wheeler was unable to stop and started a chain reaction crash with nine vehicles. The 18-wheeler jackknifed during the crash and caught fire in addition to three other vehicles. Police said the driver of the 18-wheeler died at the crash site. During the crash, the 18-wheeler hit a 2014 Lexus IS350. source
The driver of that vehicle, Yolanda Simmons, and passenger Keland Simmons, both of Baton Rouge, died at the crash site, police said. A 1997 Toyota 4Runner was also hit during the chain reaction wreck and its driver, Rachel Lehmann, of Mandeville, was taken to the hospital where she later died.
The fallen fighter and his mom were known to frequent MMA events together as a team.
Friends and family took to Facebook to remember the beloved mother and son:
RIP to two beautiful souls…heaven has welcomed in more wonderful sweet angels Keland and Yolanda Simmons!! (mother and son) OMG this is hard to take!! Please keep Kenney and Keon Simmons and the rest of our family in your prayers during this tragic loss of our loved ones who died in that massive car wreck yesterday on Highway 12. Yall will truly be missed!! #gonetosoon Yolanda Simmons