Preston Ordone, better known as the “Okay Baby,” died in a car accident on April 24, 2025. Preston was a passenger in a 2011 Ford F-150, alongside parents Katelynn Ordone, 25, and Jaelan Ordone, 27. Louisiana State Police shared details on the single-vehicle crash, reporting that the truck veered off the road and hit a tree. The accident remains under investigation, but police claim Preston’s parents received serious injuries despite wearing seatbelts. Preston allegedly was not properly restrained in a child safety seat, leading to the fatal injuries, but his family refutes this claim.
Per a statement from Louisiana State Police, the accident occurred about 11:50 a.m. on Interstate 12 in St. Tammany Parish. Why the car veered off the road still is being investigated. “Preston, who was seated in the rear, but improperly restrained in a child safety seat, also sustained serious injuries and was transported to the hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries,” police reported.
“Louisiana State Police stress that proper restraint use significantly reduces the risk of serious injury or death in a crash. Louisiana law requires all occupants, regardless of seating position, to be properly restrained at all times. The proper use of seat belts and child safety seats can be the difference between life and death,” the statement noted.
Preston’s grandfather, Glen Norris, told the New Orleans Advocate that the police made inaccurate allegations about his grandson’s car seat. Norris said a witness at the scene, who allegedly removed Preston from the car, said he was traveling safely and properly in a car seat. Norris said his daughter and son-in-law continue to recover from injuries and “it’s a long road ahead” for the family. He added that the police’s allegations are both “hurtful and painful.”
Many supporters echoed the grandfather’s sentiment on the Louisiana State Police’s Facebook page.
“While I understand the desire to promote safety, using this specific incident to emphasize the importance of seatbelts is misguided. The circumstances of the accident had nothing to do with restraint usage, and implying otherwise is EXTREMELY insensitive to the family,” one person commented. “This tragedy is NOT an appropriate example for a safety lesson, as it was unavoidable regardless of precautions. Exploiting this family’s unimaginable loss to push a safety agenda is appalling. Stop trying to turn their tragedy into a ‘teaching moment’ when nothing could have prevented it. Show some respect and compassion.”
@kate_ordone This is the hardest post we could possibly make, finding words is still so hard.. We hope that you can help our family in any way possible in this hard time. It still feels so unreal… All your prayers, love and support is needed and appreciated. Thank you. #OkayBabyForever ♬ original sound – Katelynn Ordone
“This needs to be removed immediately. This is so disrespectful. Give the family a minute to grieve at the very least,” another person agreed.
The police responded in a lengthy statement on Facebook.
“We do not do this with the intention of causing embarrassment, anguish, or anger. Our goal is never to add to the pain, but rather to fulfill our responsibility in this age of information. The Louisiana State Police must, when legally required, provide answers to the media and the public, ensuring transparency and accountability in the process. These releases, especially those involving fatal crashes with innocent victims, are incredibly difficult for everyone involved,” the post reads.
“The families and friends of the victims bear an unimaginable burden when they learn of such tragedies and it is deeply painful for the communities that support them to witness the aftermath, especially on social media,” the statement on Facebook continued. “Emergency responders, too, are deeply affected by the horrific scenes they encounter. While these events are undoubtedly challenging and distressing, they are also an unfortunate yet necessary part of what we do. We also hope in doing so we can raise awareness about actions that could potentially save lives in the future. Our hope is to reach those who may not have considered the far-reaching consequences of certain behaviors.”
Loved ones created a GoFundMe account for Preston’s family, who have hundreds of thousands of followers on social media. Their videos have amassed more than 34 million likes on TikTok alone. Preston often answered questions with a cheerful “Okay,” earning him the nickname of “Okay Baby.”
“Preston had captured the hearts of many online with his joyful spirit and endearing videos, becoming a beloved figure on social media. His untimely passing has left a profound void in the lives of his parents and the community that cherished him,” the fundraiser page reads.
The page has raised more than $40,000 thus far. The crash remains under investigation.
