LEONARD GRAY / L’Observateur / July 28, 1999

RESERVE – A fatality accident Friday on eastbound Interstate 10 led to a second accident which left a 15-year-old boy in critical condition.

At 3:20 p.m., Patrick J. Sorrells, 32, 1679 Cobblestone, Baton Rouge,pulled onto the shoulder of I-10 at Mile Post 204.7 to change a flat tire onhis 1996 Toyota Camry’s left front tire.

A 1994 Toyota pickup driven by Paul J. Giovingo Sr., 60, 46-00 ClearviewParkway, Metairie, struck Sorrells, the impact sending him several feet beyond the front of his vehicle.

Sorrells was pronounced dead at the scene by St. John Parish Coroner Dr.Christy Montegut at 4:15 p.m.Giovingo received minor injuries and, after treatment by Acadian Ambulance personnel, was booked with improper lane usage and negligent homicide at the Lt. Sherman Walker Correctional Center. Bond was set at$100,150 by 40th Judicial District Judge J. Sterling Snowdy. He has beenreleased on bond.

An hour and 10 minutes after the first accident, as traffic slowed down, a 1996 Lexus driven by Jason Boulet, 29, 2116 Breaux Bridge, Lafayette, slowed and stopped in the left lane at Mile Post 203.2.According to Louisiana State Trooper William Pike, Edward Theard, 54, 364 West LSU Drive, Kenner, saw too late that the Boulet vehicle had stopped and struck it in the rear with his 1996 Ford van.

The impact crushed the rear of the Lexus and pinned passengers inside. Theimpact also caused the Lexus to strike a 1998 Toyota 4-runner driven by Kiamri Slaughter, 19, 5505 Moss Side Lane, Baton Rouge. She wasuninjured.

Jaylin Derousselle, 15, 201 Gathe Lane, Lafayette, was air-lifted to East Jefferson Medical Center, where he was listed in critical condition. KevinMudd, 22, and Brian Derousselle, 12, both also of Lafayette, received minor injuries. They were transported to River Parishes Medical Center, wherethey were listed in stable condition.

Theard likewise received minor injuries. He was treated at the scene, thentransported to the Lt. Sherman Walker Correctional Center, where he wasbooked with reckless operation of a motor vehicle and negligent injuring.

Bond was set at $25,300 by Snowdy. He has been released on bond.. Eastbound traffic was shut down at the Gramercy exit and diverted to Airline Highway from 5:49 p.m. to 7:37 p.m. *** A second fatality accident last weekend resulted in the death of a Paradis woman on Louisiana Highway 631 (Old Spanish Trail).

Joann Jimenez, 36, First Street, Paradis, died after she was struck at 9:40 p.m., Saturday, as she was walking west in the eastbound lane, accordingto Louisiana State Trooper R. Stanley.She was struck by a 1996 Chevrolet Cavalier driven by William Fahrig Jr.,25, 214 Barton Ave., Luling.Jimenez was pronounced dead at the scene by coroner’s investigator Craig Melancon at 10:14 p.m. Fahrig was charged with DWI, vehicular homicideand driving under suspension.

Bond was set for Fahrig at $200,000 by 29th Judicial District Judge Robert Chaisson.

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