| id | cleanReleaseDate | troopName | title |
| 8483 | 2008-02-17 | Troop L | Reckless Operation Causes Fatal Crash in St. Tammany Parish |
| NEWS RELEASE Troop L February 17, 2008 At 2:26 PM, on February 16, 2008, Louisiana State Police Troop L investigated a three vehicle crash that resulted in two deaths. The crash occurred on Interstate 10 eastbound at milepost 268.5 in St. Tammany Parish. A 2004 Hummer H2, driven by Jose A. Palacios (W/M/Age 27) of Charlotte, NC, was traveling west on Interstate 10 in the right lane. A 2004 GMC Envoy, driven by Wendy P. Gueuara (W/F/Age 25) of Durham, NC, was traveling west on Interstate 10 in the left lane. While traveling westbound the Hummer accelerated and positioned itself along side of the GMC Envoy. The driver of the Hummer made a jerking movement towards the left lane. The driver of the Envoy jerked the wheel to the left, but was able to maintain control of her vehicle. The driver of the Hummer again made a sudden movement towards the left lane and the driver of the Envoy made a sharp movement to the left and lost control of her vehicle. The Envoy began to rotate counterclockwise and entered the grass median. The GMC crossed the median and traveled into the eastbound lanes of Interstate 10. The GMC became airborne for approximately 20 feet. It then overturned towards the passenger side and impacted the center of the roadway. The GMC Envoy became airborne once again, while airborne and upside down, it was impacted in the left rear door by a 1998 Mercedes 500. The 1998 Mercedes 500 was driven by Charles Morris (W/M/Age 74) of Harahan, LA, and was traveling eastbound on Interstate 10 in the right lane. After impact the GMC Envoy traveled off the roadway on the south side, overturned once more and came to a final rest upright. The Mercedes traveled off the roadway to the right, rotating clockwise, and continued approximately 78 feet before coming to final rest. The driver of the Mercedes, Charles Morris of Harahan, LA, was transported to Northshore Medical Center by Acadian Air Med to receive medical treatment for moderate injuries. Alcohol/Drugs are not suspected, however; blood was obtained and results are pending. The driver was wearing his seat belt at the time of the crash. The driver of the GMC Envoy, Wendy P. Gueuara of Durham, NC, was pronounced dead at the scene by Vincent Giordano of the St. Tammany Parish Coroners Office, due to injuries sustained in the crash. Alcohol/Drugs are not suspected, however; blood was obtained and results are pending. The passenger is still unknown at this time; she was a white female and was approximately 26 years old. The passenger was also pronounced dead at the scene by Vincent Giordano of the St. Tammany Parish Coroners Office, due to injuries sustained in the crash. Both occupants were wearing seat belts at the time of the crash The driver of the Hummer H2, Jose A. Palacios of Charlotte, NC, was not injured in the crash. Jose A. Palacios was charged and booked into the St. Tammany Parish Jail on the following charges; Two Counts of Negligent Homicide (R.S.14:32), One Count of Negligent Injury (R.S.14:39) and Reckless Operation (R.S.14:99). The driver submitted to a chemical breath test and the results indicated .000g% BAC. The passenger, Denis F. Gueuara (W/M/Age 20) of Charlotte, NC, was not injured in the crash. Both occupants were wearing seat belts at the time of the crash. Contact Information: Tfc. Louis Calato Public Information Officer Louisiana State Police - Troop L Office: (985)893-6250 Louis.Calato@dps.la.gov WWW.LSP.ORG | |||
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