By ROBIN SHANNON

L’Observateur

LAPLACE – A single-vehicle crash on Airline Highway near Hemlock Drive Friday afternoon claimed the life of a LaPlace man, according to a release from State Police.

Witnesses told authorities that Norman P. Toups, 84, was traveling west on Airline Highway in the left lane around 1:35 p.m. Friday when his 2007 Chevrolet Trailblazer suddenly veered right off the road and into a drainage ditch. Toups’ truck continued through the ditch and struck a tree in front of a shopping center, said Trooper Melissa Matey, a state police spokesperson.

Toups, who was alone in the vehicle, was transported to River Parishes Hospital in LaPlace, where he was pronounced dead.

Investigators have determined speed was not a factor since, according to witnesses, Toups was only traveling about 35 mph at the time of the accident. Matey said intoxication is also not considered a factor, pending further examination. She said a prior medical condition is the likely cause of the fatal accident.