By LEONARD GRAY

Managing Editor

LAPLACE – Louisiana State Police identified the 18-wheeler driver, who died Friday morning in a collision on Interstate 10 at the Belle Terre Boulevard exit.

The driver, Jerry Beall, 67, of Baton Rouge, had pulled the tanker-trailer onto the shoulder, gotten out of the vehicle, and was standing in front of it at the right corner when it was struck, according to Sgt. Danny Franklin of the Louisiana State Police.

The accident occured on the eastbound side, at about 8:09 a.m., on Friday.

The tractor-trailer’s cab, upon impact, struck Beall and rolled over him. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

The vehicle which struck Beall, a Borden Ice Cream truck, was driven by Ronald J. Roy, 51, of Patterson. He received minor injuries which were treated at River Parishes Hospital.

Charges are pending against Roy, according to Trooper First Class Omar Landrum. Alcohol or drug use are not suspected in the crash, and Roy had been wearing his seat belt. Trooper First Class Alan Rickmeier is investigating the accident.

Traffic was closed in both directions at 8:26 a.m. Westbound lanes reopened at 8:47 a.m., and eastbound traffic at 1:15 p.m., after having been diverted to Belle Terre and allowed to re-enter the interstate just beyond the accident scene. Eastbound lanes were completely reopend at 2:16 p.m.