LEONARD GRAY

LULING – Two people died as a result of a three-car accident on River Road at Martin Drive in Luling, near Monsanto, including the mother of a 2-day-old boy. Albert L. Carpenter, 54, of 220 Sako Drive, Raceland, was driving a green 1996 Dodge Ram pickup westbound on River Road at 8:08 p.m. He missed the curve just upriver from the chemical plant’s main gate, over-corrected, and slammed into two succeeding eastbound cars. Louisiana State Police Trooper John Neal reported Carpenter’s truck first struck the blue 1990 Honda Accord driven by Christopher Hattala, 30, of 25 Walnut Place, Luling, with a side-swiping impact. In the Honda were his wife, Dawn, 24, and their infant son, Matthew. Carpenter’s truck then slammed head-on into the red 1994 Chevrolet pickup driven by Roy A. Madere Jr., of 109 Bernard Ave., Ama. Carpenter’s truck rolled halfway over and partially threw him from the vehicle. Carpenter was pronounced dead at the scene at 8:23 p.m. by Coroner Dr. David Vial. Dawn Hattala, taken to St. Charles Parish Hospital in critical condition, died at 2:15 a.m. Friday. Christopher Hattala remains in stable condition in the hospital’s intensive care unit. Matthew Hattala, who sustained two broken legs, was transferred to Children’s Hospital at 1:35 a.m. Friday for further care, according to a hospital spokesman. Madere, who also sustained injury, was charged with DWI, and not as a cause of the crash.