Troopers investigate two deadly crashes
posted Tuesday, December 4th, 2012 @ 9:59 am

Troop F of Louisiana State Police are investigating two separate motor vehicle accidents that occurred last week that resulted in the death of three parish residents.

According to reports, Troopers were dispatched to a single vehicle crash on LA. Hwy. 577 (Baskin/Crowville Road) last Tuesday morning around 5 a.m. The preliminary investigation revealed that a 1991 Ford F-350 driven by 49-year-old Charles W. Gayle of Newellton was traveling west on Louisiana Highway 577 when he traveled off the right side of the road, then back onto the road and across both lanes of travel. The vehicle then traveled off the left side of the road and flipped several times.

Reports state that Gayle was not wearing a seat belt and was ejected from the vehicle. Gayle suffered fatal injuries as a result of the crash and was pronounced dead at the scene by the Franklin Parish Coroner's Office.

Alcohol use is unknown and a toxicology sample was submitted for analysis.
On Friday, two parish residents were killed as the result of a head-on collision in Richland Parish.

Reports state shortly after 8 p.m. Troop F responded to a two vehicle crash on US Hwy. 425 (La Hwy. 15) in Mangham.

The preliminary investigation revealed that a 2001 Dodge Ram, driven by 69-year-old Herman Brown of Winnsboro, was traveling south on US Highway 425 in the wrong direction when it struck a 2011 Toyota Camry head-on, driven by 34-year-old Brandy Harris of Wisner, that was traveling north on US Highway 425.

Brown and Harris suffered fatal injuries as a result of the crash and were pronounced dead at the scene by the Richland Parish Coroner's Office.

Harris' 10-year-old son, who was in the backseat of the car at the time of the crash, survived the incident but was taken to the hospital with non-critical injuries.

State Police said alcohol on the part of Brown is suspected and toxicology samples were obtained and will be submitted for analysis.

Both crash's remains under investigation.

Troop F reminds all motorist, especially in the holiday season, that the majority of fatal and serious injury crashes involve impaired drivers. Troopers say motorists should never get behind the wheel if they are impaired and should either stay where they are or call someone who is sober to pick them up.

Troop F has investigated 27 fatal crashes which have resulted in 29 deaths so far this year.