Staff Reporter

GRAMERCY – A New Orleans man suffered fatal injuries after he was ejected from a car during an early morning accident on Interstate 10 in St. James Parish Sunday, said a spokesman for Louisiana State Police.

Four other passengers were also injured in the one-vehicle crash, which occurred around 3 a.m. Sunday near the intersection of I-10 and La. 641, said State Police Troop A Spokesman Russell Graham in a release. The accident involved a 1996 Honda Civic driven by Taiwan Smith, 19, of Kenner. According to the release, Harold Cash, 22 and Jackie Washington, 20, both of New Orleans, were ejected from the Honda after it veered off the highway, flipped over and came to rest in a ditch. Cash and Washington were transported to St. James Hospital, where Cash was pronounced dead. Washington suffered non-life threatening injuries, but her condition is unknown. The release said neither were wearing seat belts and both were sitting toward the rear of the vehicle.

Also injured in the accident were Smith, front-seat passenger Juan Cash, 20, of Kenner, and rear passenger Jamar Washington, 25, of New Orleans. The release said Smith and Juan Cash were wearing seatbelts and suffered minor injuries. Washington was not restrained, but was not ejected. He suffered moderate injuries.

Graham said Smith was booked into St. James Parish Jail on one count of negligent homicide and four counts of negligent injuring, in addition to careless operation, no driver’s license and no insurance. The release said alcohol is suspected to be a factor in the crash and further charges could be forthcoming, pending the results of toxicology tests.