2 killed in fiery, head-on crash in St. James

Published 12:11 am Wednesday, September 12, 2018

ST. JAMES — Two out-of-town motorists, according to authorities, were killed before daylight Saturday, the result of a fiery head-on collision.

Louisiana State Police troopers said the two-vehicle crash on Louisiana 3127, north of Louisiana 3219 in St. James, claimed the lives of 24-year-old Patrick Miller of Columbus, Ga., and 31-year-old Raymond Walker of Martin, Tenn.

Police responded to the scene shortly before 3:30 a.m. Saturday and determined Miller was traveling north on Louisiana 3127 in a Mazda 3 while Walker was traveling south on Louisiana 3127 in a Chevrolet Cavalier.

“For reasons still under investigation, Miller crossed the center line and struck Walker’s vehicle head-on,” a State Police release said. “Miller was properly restrained at the time of the crash but suffered fatal injuries. He was pronounced deceased by the St. James Parish Coroner’s Office.”

Walker’s vehicle ran off of the roadway after impact and rolled onto its roof before becoming engulfed in flames. Walker was also pronounced deceased on scene by the St. James Parish Coroner’s Office.

Impairment is unknown, State Police said, adding a standard toxicology test is pending on the part of both drivers.