ERIK SANZENBACH / L’Observateur / April 11, 2000

LAPLACE – An accident on U.S. Highway 51 near the on ramp of Interstate10 Sunday left two people dead.

According to the Louisiana State Police, the accident between a Harley- Davidson motorcycle and a Chevrolet pick-up truck resulted in the deaths of the motorcycle’s driver and passenger, both of Marrero.

State Police said around 6:40 p.m. Sunday James A. Barton, 50, andLorraine Barton, 50, both of 340 Ave. C, Marrero, were traveling on amotorcycle southbound in the left lane on U.S. 51. Barton attempted tomake a left turn from the right lane to enter the Texaco station near the entrance to I-10.

Barton turned right into the path of a truck driven by Cheryl Abadie of Vacherie, who tried to get out of the way of the motorcycle. However, thetruck’s right front fender hit the left side of the bike, knocking the motorcycle to the ground, and both driver and passenger were thrown from the bike.

The Bartons, neither of whom were wearing helmets, both suffered severe injuries from the collision. James Barton was pronounced dead on thescene, and Lorraine Barton was rushed to River Parishes Hospital, where she was pronounced dead on arrival.

State Police said alcohol did not seem to be a factor in the accident, but toxicology tests are still pending on Barton and results won’t be known for several weeks.

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