St. James man killed in Wednesday wreck

Published 9:12 am Thursday, December 3, 2015

A St. James Parish man was killed Wednesday in a two-vehicle wreck authorities believe may have been linked to impaired driving.

Louisiana State Police Troop B spokeswoman Melissa Matey said at approximately 9:30 p.m. Wednesday, Troop B was notified of a fatal crash on Louisiana 18 near Louisiana 3142 in St. Charles Parish.

The crash claimed the life of 34 year-old Travis Joseph of St. James.

Preliminary investigation, Matey said, revealed Joseph was driving a 2002 Ford Escort west on Louisiana 18 and, for unknown reasons, crossed into the eastbound lane of travel and struck a 2002 GMC Envoy head-on.

The GMC Envoy was driven by Marshall Smith, 55, of Ethel. Smith sustained moderate injuries and was taken to St. Charles General Hospital, along with a passenger from Joseph’s vehicle, Cortney Madere, 27, of Des Allemands.

Joseph was pronounced dead on the scene.

“Troopers suspect that Joseph was impaired at the time of the crash and a toxicology test is pending an autopsy,” Matey said. “Smith and Madere were wearing seat belts; however, Joseph was not. The crash remains under investigation.”