By LEONARD GRAY

GARYVILLE – A 32-year-old Garyville man died on Christmas Eve after being ejected from the van he was driving and run over during a three-vehicle accident on Airline Highway.

Two passengers remain in hospitals, recovering from their injuries, while one other was released Wednesday.

Charles Eugene Jr. was on La. Highway 54, crossing at Airline Highway, driving a 1995 Chevrolet van, at 5:50 p.m. Also in the van were Kendall Morris, 18, Ieisha Davis, 5, and Nelson Brown, 14, all of Garyville.

The van failed to stop for a stop sign and was broadsided by a 1999 Chevrolet pickup truck driven by Michael Duhe, 20, of LaPlace, which was southbound in the inside lane.

The impact caused both vehicles to spin out of control, with the van coming to rest on the northbound side in the neaby marsh. The pickup came to rest south of Airline, also in a marshy area. Eugene was thrown onto Airline in the median opening and was struck by a 1991 Ford Taurus driven by Beverly Robein, 76, of Garyville, who was turning left from Airline toward La. Highway 54.

The Taurus drove over Eugene and dragged him approximately 45 feet before stopping, according to a State Police press release.

Eugene was pronounced dead at River Parishes Hospital in LaPlace at 6:45 p.m. His passengers were also transported to the same hospital for treatment of their injuries.

As of press time Friday, Brown was in stable condition at River Parishes Hospital recovering from a broken leg and second-degree burns, while Davis is in good condition at Childrens Hospital in New Orleans.

Morris was released Wednesday by River Parishes Hospital following treatment.

The other two drivers had no injuries following the accident.

The accident is being investigated by Trooper Kevin Curlee of the Louisiana State Police Troop B.