WALKER, La. (AP) - Louisiana State Police say two people have now been arrested in connection with a Livingston Parish highway crash that killed two children, ages 4 and 6.
State police say 26-year-old Jerry Ervin III of Denham Springs was arrested Thursday and faces charges including vehicular homicide in the Sunday night accident. Earlier, troopers had arrested 50-year-old Travis Rose in connection with the crash. Rose also faces multiple charges, including vehicular homicide.
A state police news release says the crash happened on Louisiana Highway 447 after a garbage compactor fell out of a truck Rose was driving. Rose allegedly left the compactor on the roadway and drove home. Ervin allegedly drove around “caution” triangles placed at the scene and struck vehicles and people.
It was unclear whether either suspect has a lawyer who could comment.
Killed in the crash were 4-year-old Samuel Shropshire and 6-year-old Khaiden Ramsey. Several other people were injured.
The state police news release said troopers arrested Rose at his home and determined he was impaired. The release said Ervin was arrested after toxicology reports indicated that he, too, was impaired.
Troopers said the fatal crash occurred after 34-year-old Michelle Ramsey of Baton Rouge had struck the compactor and pulled over; 29-year-old Johnell Butler of Walker, in another vehicle, did not strike the object but pulled over behind Ramsey.
Investigators said occupants of those two cars had placed caution triangles on the road. They were attempting to move the compactor when the fatal crash occurred.
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