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Teens arrested, details released on Opelousas fatal crash

Posted at 2:00 PM, May 30, 2018
and last updated 2018-05-30 15:00:13-04

The St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Office says they have arrested the two men brought in for questioning in connection with the fatal crash that killed 11-year-old Bryla Bell. 

The St. Landry Parish Juvenile Detective Section says that they received information on the two suspects Kelvin Ruiz Monte and Jon’Torras Bryant who they say fled on foot from the car which led to Bell’s death. The suspects were interviewed by detectives and allegedly agreed to speak without a lawyer present. 

Deputies say that during the interview process Bryant allegedly admitted to going to Lawtell with Monte to pick up Bryla and that he had asked Bryla to get into the truck twice before she entered the vehicle. Monte allegedly told detectives that Bryla was only allowed into the vehicle after she stated she was 17 years old.

According to deputies, Bryant allegedly told them that they were traveling from Lawtell to Opelousas when they noticed that Bryla’s mother was following them in another vehicle. 

Deputies say the Bryant and Monte allegedly told Bryla to get out of the vehicle at that time but she refused and they continued to Opelousas. The truck was finally stopped in Opelousas by police at which point Bryant and Monte fled the vehicle and hid. 

Monte allegedly told deputies that Bryla refused to leave the vehicle which reportedly continued along Union Street with Bryla at the wheel. Deputies say that Bell was in control of the vehicle and lead law enforcement on a high-speed chase that ended in her death.

Read our original story here.

Funeral services for Bryla Bell were held on Tuesday, May 29. Read more on those services, here.