Vacherie woman killed in La. 18 traffic accident

VACHERIE — A woman was killed and two men were injured in a head-on collision on La. 18 in St. James Parish, State Police reported.

Linda Dupard, 59, of Vacherie, was driving a 1998 Nissan 200 east on La. 18 when it was hit by a Ford F-250 pickup about noon Thursday, troopers said.

The westbound truck crossed the center line of La. 18 into the eastbound lane for unknown reasons, troopers said.

The St. James Parish Coroner’s Office pronounced Dupard dead at the scene.

Lionel Temple, 27, of Vacherie, the driver of the Ford, was taken to St. James Hospital for treatment of moderate injuries, troopers said.

Temple’s passenger, Brandon McLain, 30, also of Vacherie, was taken to St. James Hospital with moderate injuries.

Alcohol is not suspected as a factor in the crash, troopers said.

Blood was taken from Temple and test results are pending at the State Police Crime Lab, troopers said.

Routine toxicology tests are pending for Dupard, troopers said.

The wreck remains under investigation.