2 St. John residents killed following Tuesday night wrecks
Published 10:10 am Wednesday, August 9, 2017
- Two St. John the Baptist Parish residents died in separate wrecks Tuesday night.
LAPLACE — Two St. John the Baptist Parish residents died in separate wrecks Tuesday night, authorities said.
According to Louisiana State Police Trooper Melissa Matey, 58-year-old Blaine Clement of LaPlace was killed following an Airline Highway wreck, while 25-year-old Edward J. Dennis of Reserve was killed following a collision on River Road.
Troopers’ initial investigation indicated Clement was driving a 2009 Harley Davidson motorcycle shortly before 6 p.m. when he attempted to turn left onto Airline Highway north from Main Street north.
Clement had the green signal while turning, police said.
A 2011 Dodge Nitro, driven by 60-year-old Debra Millet of LaPlace, was traveling south on Airline Highway in the left lane.
“Millet disregarded the red signal and struck the Harley Davidson,” according to State Police’s wreck report.
Clement was taken to University Medical Center and died a short time later.
Millet was not injured.
Clement was wearing a helmet at the time of the crash.
Matey said impairment is not suspected as a crash factor for either driver, adding Troopers’ believe inattentiveness while driving may be a factor. The crash remains under investigation.
Matey said no citations or arrests have been made as of Wednesday morning.
A determination on a potential arrest through either State Police or District Attorney’s office charge would be made after Troopers finish their investigation, Matey said.
• Troopers began investigating the second fatal crash at approximately 8:35 p.m. Tuesday on River Road near West 10th Street in Reserve.
The preliminary investigation revealed Dennis was standing in the eastbound lane of River Road and was struck by a 2000 Ford Mustang, driven by 52-year-old Ray Morgan of Reserve.
After the initial impact, State Police said Dennis came to rest in the westbound lane of River Road and was struck by a 2001 Ford Mustang, driven by 58-year-old Terri Bow of Mount Airy, traveling west on River Road.
Dennis was pronounced dead on the scene, authorities said.
Impairment and speed are not suspected crash factors.
