Thick swamp fog causes wreck, death

Published 12:00 am Wednesday, October 18, 2000

DANIEL TYLER GOODEN / L’Observateur / October 18, 2000

GRAMERCY – An accident early Monday morning took the lives of two Plaquemine residents who were driving southbound on Louisiana Highway 641.

About 1:27 a.m. Rosaland Williams, 35, Pattie Sue Lee and Tina Lee weredriving through the thick swamp fog south toward Gramercy.

“The heavy smoke fog caused nearly zero visibility,” said Louisiana Trooper Johnnie Brown.

Williams, driving an 1993 Nissan Sentra, rear-ended a 1997 International 18- wheel truck, which had stopped on La. 641. The driver, Steve Morrison Jr.,57, of New Albany, reported that a vehicle had stopped in front of him, but he was unable to give a description due to the heavy fog.

Williams’ Nissan, its speed before impact unknown, was wedged underneath the rear of the trailer up to the rear axle, said Brown. Within seconds, a1997 Chevrolet Corvette driven by Adrian Landry, 48, of Lutcher, collided with the Nissan. A 1998 Chevy van driven by Earl Caleber Jr., 59, of Violet,followed, hitting the Corvette.

Williams and Pattie Sue Lee were both pronounced dead on the scene. TinaLee was transported to East Jefferson General Hospital.

Both Morrison, Landry and Caleber remained on the scene uninjured.

Tina Lee is currently in the intensive care unit at East Jefferson. She islisted in fair condition, her injuries consisting mainly of facial fractures.

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