Slidell man killed in crash involving four vehicles on I-55

AMITE, LA (WVUE) - Louisiana State Police say a motorcyclist was killed in a four vehicle crash on I-55 Saturday afternoon.

The crash happened at approximately 2:25 p.m.

According to State Police, an initial investigation revealed that motorcyclists 57-year-old Earl H. Jones Jr. and 60-year-old Ronald Cagler were traveling northbound on I-55 in the left lane when they attempted to overtake a 2017 Chevrolet Malibu traveling in front of them. As Jones and Cagler attempted to pass the Chevrolet Malibu, they crashed into the back of the vehicle.

Jones' motorcycle traveled off of the left side of the roadway causing him to be ejected from the bike. He was later pronounced dead at the scene by the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff's Office.

Cagler's motorcycle ran off of the road to the left side and entered the median. Then Cagler came off of the median and back into the road the roadway where his motorcycle began to flip ejecting him off of the bike and into the roadway. He was taken to North Oaks Hospital where he was treated for his injuries.

As a result of the crash, the Chevrolet Malibu traveled from the left lane into the right lane where it crashed into 2008 Toyota Tacoma. The impact caused both vehicles to go off of the right side of roadway where the vehicles came to a rest.

The driver of the Chevrolet Malibu, 43-year-old Amber Davis, her 13-year-old passenger and the driver of the Toyota Tacoma, 70-year-old Thomas Morgan, were also taken to North Oaks Hospital to be treated for injuries sustained in the crash.

State Police have taken blood samples from both motorcyclists and both drivers and submitted them to the Louisiana State Police crime lab for analysis.

Cagler was cited for careless operation in the crash.

The investigation into the crash is ongoing.

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