| id | cleanReleaseDate | troopName | title |
| 8457 | 2008-05-19 | Troop L | Two Vehicle Fatal Crash in Tangipahoa Parish |
| Colonel Michael D. Edmonson, Superintendent TROOP L- NEWS RELEASE Date: May 19, 2008 Today, May 19, 2008 at 12:54 PM, Louisiana State Police, Troop L investigated a two vehicle fatal crash on Interstate 55 northbound at milepost 39.1, one mile south of Independence. The crash involved a 1996 International eighteen wheeler driven by Harry R. Erb (W/M, 57 yrs) of Van Buren, AR and a 1991 Lincoln Town car driven by Lenell Bryant (B/M, 71 yrs) of Hammond, LA. The International was traveling northbound on Interstate 55 in the left lane. The Lincoln was traveling in the right lane of Interstate 55, ahead of the eighteen-wheeler. The International was in the process of passing a vehicle that was on the right lane of travel. After passing the vehicle, the eighteen-wheeler began to travel onto the right lane of travel, which was occupied by the Lincoln Town car. The Lincoln Town car was traveling at a much slower speed than the eighteen-wheeler. The eighteen-wheeler could not slow down in time and struck the rear of the Lincoln. The Lincoln Town car rotated counterclockwise traveling across the left lane of Interstate 55 and came to final rest in the grass median. After impact, the International started to skid onto the left lane for approximately 67 feet. The eighteen-wheeler came to final rest jack-knifed, partially in the grass median and partially in the left lane of travel. The driver of the Lincoln Town car, Lenell Bryant of Hammond, LA, was transported to Lallie Kemp Hospital by Acadian Ambulance to receive medical treatment for moderate injuries. Alcohol is not suspected to be a factor in the crash, however; blood was obtained and will be submitted to the Louisiana State Police Crime Lab for analysis. Passenger one, Cortez Morrell, Jr. (B/M/Age 39) of Hammond, LA, was pronounced dead at the scene by Investigator Tom Terrell of the Tangipahoa Parish Coroner’s Office, due to injuries sustained in the crash. Both occupants were wearing seat belts at the time of the crash. The driver of the International, Harry R. Erb of Van Buren, AL, was not injured in the crash. Harry R. Erb was charged and booked into the Tangipahoa Parish Jail on the following charges, Careless Operation (R.S.32:58), Negligent Injuring (R.S.14:39) and Negligent Homicide (R.S.14:32). The driver submitted to a chemical breath test and the results indicated .000g% BAC. Trooper Dwight is continuing his investigation of the crash. For more information contact: TFC Louis Calato Public Affairs Unit Louisiana State Police – Troop L Office: (985) 893-6250 Louis.Calato@dps.la.gov www.LSP.org | |||
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