Toyota Sequola driven by River Ridge woman crossed center line of roadway, police said.
A 37-year-old Hammond man was killed early Wednesday (June 7) when the motorcycle he was riding collided head-on with an SUV in Tangipahoa Parish. Jason Paul Spence died in the accident that occurred shortly before 6 a.m. on Pumpkin Center Road north of Louisiana 22, Louisiana State Police reported.
The victim was riding a 2007 Harley Davidson motorcycle south bound on Pumpkin Center Road – Louisiana 1249 – when for reasons still under investigation a 2004 Toyota Sequoia headed in the opposite direction crossed the center line. The Sequoia, driven by Lesley Christine Dutreix of River Ridge, crashed head-on into the motorcycle, police said in a news release.
Despite wearing a state-approved helmet, Spence sustained fatal injuries in the crash and was pronounced dead on the scene by the Tangipahoa Parish Coroner’s Office. Dutreix, who was wearing a seatbelt, suffered minor injuries and was transported to St. Tammany Parish Hospital in Covington by Acadian Ambulance, police said.
As part of the ongoing investigation, blood samples were obtained from both drivers and will be sent to the Louisiana State Police Crime Lab for testing. Dutreix was cited for improper lane usage. When the investigation is completed, State Police will consult the 21 st Judicial District Attorney’s Office regarding any additional criminal or traffic charges, according to the news release.
