Robert, La.- Police
say an overnight crash on Interstate 12 took the life of a 74-year-old
Hammond man and injured three passengers.
It happened shortly after midnight in the westbound lanes of
I-12, approximately half a mile west of the LA 445/Robert exit.
Investigators say the crash occurred as a 2003 Jeep Grand
Cherokee, driven by 55-year-old Sandra Thomas of Hammond, was traveling west on
Interstate 12 and drifted off the right side of the roadway, began rotating in
a clockwise direction and hit a large tree with its left front side.
After impact, the vehicle struck a second tree with its rear
end partially ejecting the unrestrained right rear passenger, identified as 74-year-old
Henry Conley of Hammond, who was not wearing a seat belt.
Conley sustained fatal injuries.
Thomas and front seat passenger, identified as 67-year-old Bernard Melton of
Hammond, were wearing seat belts at the time of the crash and received minor
injuries. In addition, the left rear passenger in the Grand Cherokee, identified
as 60-year-old Linda Willis of Hammond, was also properly restrained and
sustained moderate injuries in the crash.
Neither impairment nor speed is suspected to be a factor in the crash.
The crash remains under investigation.
