LOUISIANA STATE POLICE
COURTESY LOYALTY SERVICE
Colonel Michael D. Edmonson, Superintendent
News Release November 24, 2008 **Update** Arrest Made in Hit and Run Crash
On November 24, 2008 at about 8:17 pm, Louisiana State Police Troop F Troopers arrested a man in connection with the hit and run crash that claimed the lives of an Alabama couple. Troopers arrested 38 year old Michael Todd Henderson at his address on Hwy 151 in Downsville, LA. Henderson was taken to the Union Parish Detention Center pending his transfer to the Lincoln Parish Detention Center where he will be booked for two counts of Negligent Homicide. The investigation is ongoing and Henderson is facing additional charges in connection with this crash.
Original Release:
On November 21, 2008 at about 11:54 pm, Louisiana State Police Troop F Troopers investigated a three vehicle crash that claimed the lives of an Alabama couple. The crash occurred on Interstate 20 at milepost 89.5 in Lincoln Parish. A 1995 Ford Ranger was traveling west on I-20 when it was rear ended by another vehicle. The Ford Ranger then careened through the median and entered the east bound traffic lanes where it was hit head-on by a 2002 Freightliner "18-wheeler". The vehicle that rear-ended the Ford left the scene, continuing west on I-20, without stopping.
A fire erupted after the second impact and engulfed the Freightliner. Both of the eastbound lanes of I-20 were closed to traffic for about six hours. The Freightliner was hauling paper products at the time of the crash.
The driver of the Ford Ranger has been identified as Rodrigo Lugo, a 28 year old man from Geraldine, AL. Mr. Lugo was pronounced dead at the scene by the Lincoln Parish Coroner's Office. His wife, identified as 52 year old Mitzi Lugo from Geraldine, AL, was a passenger in the Ford and she was also pronounced dead at the scene from injuries she sustained in the crash. Seat belt use is unknown at this time.
The Driver of the Freightliner, identified as 63 year old Reyndal Magouirk from Valley, AL, received minor injuries in the crash. His passenger, 42 year old Michael Brown from Charleston, WV also received minor injuries in the crash and both men were transported to Northeast Medical Center in Ruston for treatment.
The vehicle that caused the crash is believed to be a white Chevrolet Corvette, according to witnesses. The Corvette should have heavy damage to its front right bumper and right side. Anyone with information on the whereabouts of this vehicle and its driver is asked to contact the Louisiana State Police Troop F office at (318)345-0000.
In 2008, Louisiana State Police Troop F Troopers have investigated forty-three (43) fatal crashes resulting in forty-nine (49) deaths. For More Information, Contact:
Trooper Mark Dennis
Louisiana State Police
Troop F Public Affairs
Office: (318) 345-2810
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