Separate crashes kill Walker, St. Amant residents

• Advocate staff report
• Published: Jun 7, 2009 - Page: 2B

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Two people were killed in separate crashes in Livingston and Ascension parishes Friday night, said Russell Graham, a spokesman for State Police Troop A.

The first wreck, in Livingston Parish, occurred at 7:30 p.m., when Jeff R. Leco, 28, of Pine Grove, drove his 1994 Ford Ranger into the opposing lane of traffic on La. 449 south of La. 1024, colliding with a motorcyclist head-on, Graham said.

Glen K. Coburn, 52, of Walker, was thrown from his Honda motorcycle into a ditch and died at the scene, Graham said. He was wearing a helmet.

Troopers arrested Leco and booked him into Livingston Parish Jail on one count each of driving left of center and negligent homicide, Graham said.

The second crash happened on La. 22 east of Stringer Bridge Road in Ascension Parish just after 9:30 p.m., Graham said.

Percy Guitreau, 50, was driving his 1999 Chevrolet pickup west on La. 22 when he crossed into the other lane in a curve and collided with an oncoming 2004 Honda Accord carrying six people, Graham said.

The driver of the Accord, Lissa Nelson, 27, of St. Amant, was seriously injured in the crash, Graham said. Her front-seat passenger, Mitchell P. Bruno, 36, of St. Amant, died in wreck.

All occupants in both vehicles, including the four juveniles in Nelson’s back seat, neglected to wear their seat belts, and all suffered varying degrees of injuries, Graham said.

Troopers believe Guitreau had been drinking prior to the crash, Graham said.

He was booked on one count each of driving while intoxicated, vehicular homicide and driving left of center.