Aggrostats

The initial investigation by State Police revealed that the crash occurred as Nelldell was traveling southbound on Plank Rd. in a 1995 Toyota Corolla. At the same time, 57 year old James Callender of Slaughter was traveling northbound on Plank Rd. in a 2017 Nissan Altima. For reasons still under investigation, Nelldell’s Corolla crossed into the northbound lane into the path of the Altima. Callender swerved into the southbound lane in an attempt to avoid striking the Corolla. As he did so, Nelldell swerved back into the southbound lane as well. As a result, the Corolla and the Altima struck in the southbound lane of Plank Rd.

Nelldell was unrestrained at the time of the crash and was ejected from the vehicle. He was pronounced deceased on the scene by the East Baton Rouge Parish Coroner’s Office. Impairment on his part is unknown at this time. A toxicology sample was taken from him to be submitted to the Louisiana State Police Crime Lab for further analysis.

Callender and a front seat passenger in his vehicle were both properly restrained. They were transported from the scene to Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center in Baton Rouge with minor injuries. Impairment on the part of Callender is not suspected.

Louisiana State Troopers wish to remind motorists that all occupants of a motor vehicle must be restrained, regardless of seating position. While not all crashes are survivable, statistics show that the chances of surviving a crash rise significantly when properly restrained. Making good choices while in motor vehicles such as never driving while impaired, always ensuring every occupant is properly restrained, and avoiding all distractions can often mean the difference between life and death.

Contact Information:
Sgt. Jared L. Sandifer
Louisiana State Police
Public Affairs Section
Office: (225) 925-6202
jared.sandifer@la.gov
www.LSP.org
www.facebook.com/LouisianaStatePolice