| id | cleanReleaseDate | troopName | title |
| 8513 | 2008-12-02 | Troop L | Passenger Killed in Crash on LA 16 in St. Helena Parish |
| LOUISIANA STATE POLICE COURTESY LOYALTY SERVICE Colonel Michael D. Edmonson, Superintendent TROOP L- NEWS RELEASE For Immediate Release Date: December 2, 2008 Passenger Killed in Crash on LA 16 in St. Helena Parish Today, December 1, 2008 at 7:15 PM, Louisiana State Police Troop L investigated a two-vehicle crash that resulted in the death of an Independence resident. The crash occurred on LA 16 at the intersection of Leonard Chapel Road in St. Helena Parish at milepost 58.1. A 1989 Mitsubishi pickup, driven by Merles E. Greely, Jr. (B/M/Age 60) of Independence, LA, was traveling west on LA 16 at the intersection of Leonard Chapel Road. A 2006 Chevrolet Impala (Department of Public Safety Unit), driven by DPS Officer Edwin C. Letard III (W/M/Age 49) of Amite, LA, was headed eastbound upon LA 16. The driver of the Mitsubishi pickup failed to yield and turned left crossing onto the eastbound lane of travel. The Mitsubishi pickup traveled directly into the path of the Chevrolet Impala. Officer Edwin C. Letard III was unable to avoid impacting the Mitsubishi pickup on its right front fender. After impact, the Mitsubishi pickup rotated counterclockwise striking a bridge guardrail on the south side of LA 16. During the crash, the passenger in the pickup was partially ejected, due to not wearing a vehicle restraint. The Chevrolet Impala rotated clockwise and came to final rest on the eastbound shoulder. The driver of the Chevrolet Impala, DPS Officer Edwin C. Letard III, was transported to Hood Hospital by Acadian Ambulance to receive medical treatment for minor injuries. Alcohol usage by the driver is not suspected; blood and urine were obtained and will be submitted to the Louisiana State Police Crime Lab for analysis. The driver was wearing his seat belt at the time of the crash. The driver of the Mitsubishi pickup, Merles E. Greely, Jr. was transported to North Oaks Medical Center by Acadian Ambulance to receive medical treatment for moderate injuries. Alcohol usage is suspected in the crash; blood was obtained and will be submitted to the Louisiana State Police Crime Lab for analysis. Once released from North Oaks Medical Center, Merles E. Greely, Jr. will be charged and booked into the St. Helena Parish Jail on the following charges, Improper Left Turn (R.S.32:104), No Driver’s License (R.S. 32:52), Operating A Vehicle While Intoxicated (R.S.14:98) and Vehicular Homicide (R.S.14:32.1). The passenger, Sara F. McQueen (B/F/Age 58) of Independence, LA, was pronounced dead at the scene by Brad Graves of the St. Helena Parish Coroner’s Office due to injuries sustained in the crash. Both occupants in the pickup were not wearing seat belts during the crash. For more information contact: S/T 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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