ERIK SANZENBACH / L’Observateur / November 10, 1999

RESERVE – A one-car accident Saturday night on Louisiana Highway 44 resulted in the death of one Reserve man and the arrest of another on drug charges.

According to Louisiana State Police, 20-year old William Roussell of 120 Apollo Drive in Reserve and a passenger were traveling west-bound on La.

44 around 8:30 p.m. As Roussell was approaching W. Third Street he lostcontrol of his 1993 Pontiac Grand Am and ran into a ditch. Roussell over-compensated, and when his car came out of the ditch, the car rolled over several times, ejecting Roussell from the car. State Police stated thatneither Roussell nor the passenger, 38-year old Eddie Joseph, were wearing seat belts.

Roussell was pronounced dead on the scene at 9:45 p.m. by Dr. D. St.Germain.

Joseph, of 130 W. 14th St. in Reserve, was uninjured in the accident. Whileinvestigating the accident, a St. John Parish deputy noticed Josephstanding by the wreck with his hands in his pocket. When the deputyapproached, Joseph tossed a plastic bag behind him. The deputy recoveredthe bag and discovered a rock of crack cocaine inside. Joseph was thenarrested and charged with possession of schedule II drugs.

State police said further investigation will determine if alcohol, drugs or a high rate of speed were factors in the accident.

Return To News Stories