PEARL RIVER, La. – A Texas truck driver was arrested Friday and charged with negligent homicide after authorities said he crossed the median and killed four people from Mississippi. Juan Torres, 37, was headed north on Interstate 59 about 9 a.m., when the front left tire of his 18-wheeler blew out causing him to lose control of the rig and cross the median.
Daniel Dickson, 57, of Carriere, was traveling southbound on I-59 in a Dodge pick up truck with three passengers 76-year old Eva Farrugia, 35-year old Thomas Farrugia, III, and another person who was not identified.
Authorities said when Torres entered the southbound lane, he hit Dickson head-on and they both slid off the roadway coming to a final rest on the west side in a grassy area.
Three of the victims in Dickson’s truck were not wearing seatbelts and were ejected from the vehicle on impact.
All four victims in Dickson’s truck were pronounced dead at the scene.
A third vehicle, driven by Jessica Garcia, 39, of Gretna, Louisiana, was hit by debris from the collision damaging her windshield. Garcia was not injured.
Torres was wearing a seat belt and suffered minor injuries. He was later charged with careless operation of a vehicle and four counts of negligent homicide.
Officials said alcohol is not suspected in the accident, but a blood sample for Torres was sent to the crime lab for testing.
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