By ROBIN SHANNON

L’Observateur

LAPLACE – A Reserve man was killed and a Garyville man was injured this morning following a head-on collision on Airline Highway in Norco, according to a release from State Police.

Jeremy Fleming, 25, was traveling south on Airline Highway near Apple Street in Norco in a 1999 Infinity when his vehicle was struck head-on by a 2003 Chevrolet pick-up believed to be driven by Manuel Castro, 32, of Livingston shortly before 3 a.m., said Trooper Melissa Matey, spokesperson for State Police Troop B. Matey said the pick-up was traveling northbound in the southbound lanes. Fleming was pronounced dead at the scene.

A passenger in the Infinity, Marcus Fleming, 25, of Garyville, was transported to Ochsner Hospital with moderate injuries. Matey said Castro was transported to St. Elizabeth Hospital in Gonzales with moderate injuries. None of the occupants of either vehicle were wearing seat belts.

Investigators said it is unclear whether Castro was driving the Chevrolet at the time of the accident, because of statements he made to troopers at the scene. Matey said the truck will be processed for DNA evidence at the State Police Crime Lab.

Blood was obtained from Castro and a toxicology analysis is pending. The crash remains under investigation and criminal charges are pending the outcome of the investigation.