Woman Pleaded Guilty in Fatal Baton Rouge Hit-and-Run
Ta’Quencya Harris entered guilty pleas for manslaughter and hit-and-run charges regarding a 2026 incident.
Updated on Oct. 14, 2026 in Accidents
Ta’Quencya Harris, 35, has pleaded guilty to manslaughter and hit-and-run charges following the death of 22-year-old LaDerica Stewart. The incident occurred after Stewart was struck by a vehicle on Plank Road in Baton Rouge.
Why it matters
The guilty plea resolves a case that initially involved a charge of second-degree murder, which was previously downgraded to an assault charge before the current plea agreement was reached.
Harris entered a plea deal involving a 10-year sentencing cap and a 10-year suspended sentence. This plea replaces a previous second-degree murder charge that had been reduced to assault.
The players
Ta'Quencya Harris
The 35-year-old defendant who pleaded guilty to manslaughter and hit-and-run charges.
LaDerica Stewart
The 22-year-old victim who died after being struck by a car on Plank Road.
The details
The legal resolution follows the death of LaDerica Stewart on Plank Road. Harris, who originally entered a not guilty plea, transitioned to a guilty plea for the counts of manslaughter and hit-and-run.
Timeline
October 14, 2026: Article reporting on the plea agreement.
Legal Context
This case follows standard judicial patterns for plea agreements involving vehicular manslaughter in Louisiana. Such deals often balance the severity of the offense against sentencing caps to avoid lengthy trials.
The resolution of this case brings legal closure to the incident on Plank Road for the local community. Residents may note the shift in charges from the initial murder accusation as the court process concludes.
The takeaway
Plea agreements in fatal accidents often significantly alter the trajectory of a criminal case compared to initial charges. Understanding the details of such agreements provides clarity on how the justice system manages vehicular tragedies.
Further reading
For more information on legal proceedings in the area, visit Baton Rouge Accidents.
