Ryan Alasia Johnson
Grambling State University is mourning the loss of Ryan Alasia Johnson. She was a freshman studying biology from Kentwood, La. Johnson was killed in a four-vehicle crash Wednesday evening.
The incident took place on April 22 at approximately 6:45 p.m in the eastbound lane of I-10. A vehicle stopped in the construction zone due to a flat tire.
The vehicle in which Johnson was a rear seat passenger struck the rear of a pickup truck, according to State Police.
Following the initial crash, a fourth vehicle struck the rear of Johnson’s vehicle. Johnson was wearing a seatbelt. She was pronounced deceased at the scene, State Police said.
Freshman, Kylar Diamond, was close friends with Johnson. Diamond said the two were best friends since kindergarten and had aspirations to graduate from Grambling State University together.
“We’ve been knowing each other for about 15 years. Ryan was my best friend since kindergarten, we did everything together from elementary school to high school, and we came to Grambling together,” Diamond said.
Diamond said Johnson was a “positive spirit” to be around.
“She made people feel better when they were down,” Diamond said. “She was the life of the party. It was never a dull moment with her around. I talked to her earlier that day and I wish I could have told her, ‘I love you’. With her gone I doubt I will even return back to Grambling.”
Grambling State University has not released a statement regarding Johnson’s death. The university of offering free counseling online. Students can email speedc@gram.edu
The crash is still under investigation. The Gramblinite will update as further details are released.
Several people who knew Johnson took to social media to remember her. See post above.