LaPlace fatality accident victim identified as Harvey resident

Published 12:00 am Monday, May 1, 2006

By CALEB FREY

Staff Reporter

LAPLACE – State Police have released the identity of a man involved in a fatal crash in St. John the Baptist Parish on April 23.

Stephen M. Neal, 35, of Harvey, was pronounced dead on the scene after his 1996 Ford Crown Victoria was engulfed in flames near milepost 202 on I-10 in St. John Parish near the Belle Terre exit, according to State Trooper Joseph Piglia.

Neal was traveling westbound on I-10 when for unknown reasons his vehicle swerved into guard rails on both sides of the interstate, eventually coming to rest in the left lane.

Neal’s vehicle was then struck by a 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier, driven by Latoya Vincent of Baton Rouge, which caused the Ford to burst into flames.

Vincent and her two passengers were transported to River Parishes Hospital and treated for moderate injuries.

Troopers have yet to determine if speed or driver impairment were factors in the crash.