L’Observateur / April 22, 1998

RESERVE – A couple died Sunday when another vehicle veered into their path on River Road.

Alvin J. Louis, 60, and Juanita M. Ward, 50, both of 215 East 25th St.,Reserve, were westbound on River Road in a beige 1992 Plymouth Acclaim, headed to church at 8:30 a.m. near the Lions Water Plant.Eastbound on River Road, in a blue 1988 Ford Escort, were Patrick L.

Walker, 285 Little Hope St., Garyville, and Dedrick Turcuit, 32, 154 East21st St., Reserve.According to the investigating officer, Louisiana State Trooper Larry Williams, Walker said he and Turcuit were arguing when Turcuit reached over and grabbed the steering wheel, steering the car directly into the path of Louis’s car. Turcuit denied grabbing the wheel.The impact killed Louis and Ward. Turcuit and Walker each sustained minorinjuries. Walker was treated at River Parishes Hospital in LaPlace andreleased. Turcuit initially went to River Parishes Hospital and wastransferred to Charity Hospital for further treatment. He was listed instable condition at press time.

Walker was initially charged with careless operation of a motor vehicle, but the accident remains under investigation and other charges are possible, State Police spokesman Kevin Cannatella said.

In an unrelated accident, a LaPlace man died Sunday in a motorcycle accident in New Orleans.

Anthony Eugene, 28, exact street address unknown, was eastbound on Interstate 610 near St. Bernard Avenue at 6 p.m. when he lost control at acurve, struck the left concrete wall, was thrown from the motorcycle and ended up in the left emergency lane, where he died at the scene.

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