Speed suspected to be factor in crash that killed Hemet and San Jacinto residents in Louisiana

Trevor Montgomery

Sorrento, LA – Louisiana State Police Troopers are investigating a fatal, single-vehicle traffic collision that occurred on Eastbound Interstate 10 in Ascension Parish, LA. The Feb. 3 crash took the life of James Rodgers, 25, of San Jacinto and Wanda Kinchloe, 58, of Hemet.

A Report submitted by State Police stated that at about 6:30 p.m., Rodgers was traveling eastbound on Interstate 10 in a 2004 Ford pickup truck. Witnesses reported that Rogers was traveling at a high rate of speed when he made an abrupt lane change and lost control of his vehicle, according to State Police officials. Rodgers’ truck ran off the right side of the roadway and struck a tree at full speed, State Police wrote about the incident.

Rodgers was reportedly wearing his seat-belt at the time of the crash and Kinchloe, who was in the back seat, was reportedly unrestrained. Both victims sustained fatal injuries and succumbed to their injuries at the scene, State Police announced.

A third, front seat passenger, who was identified by family members as Carl Richardson, 59, of San Jacinto, was restrained at the time of the collision. Paramedics treated Richardson at the scene and transported him to a hospital for further medical treatment. Family members stated Richardson is currently in critical condition.

According to the State Police report it is unknown at this time if alcohol or drug impairment were factors in this fatal crash. A toxicology sample was taken from Rodgers and submitted to the Louisiana State Police Crime Lab for analysis.

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