By LEONARD GRAY

Managing Editor

LAPLACE – Storms passing through the area possibly contributed to two injury accidents Monday afternoon, one involving a Gramercy woman on Interstate 10.

Louisiana State Police spokesman TFC Omar Landrum reported that at about 2:49 p.m., the first accident occurred when an eastbound 2001 Nissan Maxima, driven by Wesley Bailey, 21, of Baton Rouge, spun out of control on Interstate 10 near Milepost 205.

The Nissan became disabled in the left lane, facing oncoming traffic.

A 2003 Ford F-250 truck, driving by Jon McIntyre, 29, of Baton Rouge, pulled up nearby and the driver offered to help clear the roadway.

After the truck stopped in the left lane, with its hazard lights flashing to alert oncoming traffic, McIntyre got out

(See Wrecks, Page 3A)

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to help Bailey push the Nissan off the road.

While the two drivers were pushing the Nissan off, a 1993 Pontiac Grand Am, driven by Dana Lee, 18, of Gramercy, approached the scene and struck the rear of the Ford truck, shoving it into the Nissan, and causing McIntyre to be pinned between the vehicles, receiving serious injuries.

McIntyre was initially treated at River Parishes Hospital in LaPlace, and later flown to Baton Rouge General Hospital for further treatment. Lee was cited for careless operation of a motor vehicle.

Less than 15 minutes after the first accident, and only a mile away at Milepost 206, a 2000 Isuzu Trooper driven by Charles Jarreau, 56, of Baton Rouge, went off the roadway to the right and struck a tree.

Jarreau received minor injuries but refused treatment, according to Landrum.

His passenter, Cleta Guichard, 55, of Baton Rouge, also received minor injuries but was transported to River Parishes Hospital for treatment.

The pair of accidents caused traffic in both directions of I-10 to be diverted until 4:40 p.m.

Jarreau received a citation for careless operation of a motor vehicle.

Landrum commented, “Although it may have been raining during the crashes, drivers are required to maintain control of their vehicles. We must adjust the way we drive during inclement weather, keeping in mind that braking and stopping distances will decrease.”