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VIDALIA, La. — A 30-year-old Ferriday man who pleaded guilty to manslaughter in the death of the owner of the Donut Shop in Natchez was sentenced to the maximum penalty of 40 years.

In addition to the 40 years for manslaughter, Ben Ceasor has also been sentenced by Louisiana Seventh Judicial District Judge John Reeves to seven years for aggravated flight from an officer; five years for aggravated hit and run; 10 years for possession of a weapon by a convicted felon; 10 years for a second conviction of possession of a weapon by a convicted felon; and six months for simple battery.

All of the sentences are to be served consecutively — a total of 72 years and six months — with credit for time served from the date of his arrest in March of 2024, court records show.

Jason Tyson, 43, had been killed in a three-vehicle collision on May 18, 2024, on E.E. Wallace Boulevard in Ferriday.

Ceasor reportedly caused the crash while fleeing from law enforcement.

Ceasor had been wanted in Tensas Parish for aggravated assault when a be-on-the-lookout alert was issued. A Concordia Parish deputy initiated the traffic stop on Texas Avenue and Ceasor ran from the traffic stop, ignoring a stop sign and traveling less than 100 feet from the initial traffic stop before crashing into one vehicle on E.E. Wallace Boulevard, causing that vehicle to crash into Tyson.

Assistant District Attorney Joey Boothe, Ceasor’s attorney Cody McElroy and District Attorney Brad Burget each presented arguments to Reeves before the sentencing on May 28.

Before sentencing, Ceasor reportedly spoke for the first time in court proceedings to offer an apology and to say “it was an accident and not intentional.”

In his arguments, District Attorney Brad Burget said, “He did not accidentally run from the police. He intentionally ran from the police. He did not accidentally commit a crime in Tensas Parish,” and asked Judge Reeves for the maximum penalty.