Two Tensas Parish residents dead after the vehicle they were in traveled off the road and struck a ditch embankment.
Last Saturday night, Louisiana State Police Troop F responded to a single-vehicle crash on LA Hwy 128 near St. Joseph. The preliminary investigation revealed a 2004 Mazda Tribute, driven by 60-year-old Charles Barnes of St. Joseph, was traveling west on LA Hwy 128 when the vehicle traveled off the right side of the road and struck a ditch embankment. After striking the embankment, the vehicle became airborne and two of the four occupants were ejected from the car.
Charles Barnes was transported to a local hospital where he died from his injuries. Another unrestrained passenger in the vehicle, 65-year-old Sylvester Barnes, was pronounced dead at the scene. The other two occupants in the vehicle were also unrestrained and transported to a local hospital with mild injuries.
Alcohol is a suspected factor in the crash. Toxicology samples were obtained and will be submitted for analysis.
In 2018, Troop F has investigated 6 fatal crashes resulting in 8 deaths.