Harvey man runs stop sign, dies in accident on La. 59

A 23-year-old Harvey man died on Louisiana Highway 59 in Mandeville Tuesday morning when he turned into oncoming traffic and was broadsided, State Police said.

Traveling west on Viola Street in a 1994 Chevrolet Caprice, Lance Sales failed to stop at a stop sign and pulled into the path of a 2006 Dodge pickup driven by Charles Pearson, 28, of Lacombe, about 1:17 a.m.

Pearson, who was headed northbound, “was unable to avoid impacting sales,” Louis Calato, Troop L spokesman, said. The impact sent both vehicles into a tailspin and off the roadway to the left, he said.

Sales was transported to Lakeview Regional Medical Center for severe injuries and was soon pronounced dead. Alcohol usage is suspected but won’t be confirmed until blood test return from the Louisiana State Police Crime lab.

Sales was not wearing his seatbelt, Calato said.

Pearson, the driver of the pickup truck, earlier refused medical treatment. He was not considered drunk at the time of the accident. He tested a .000 BAC level during voluntary blood alcohol test.

Pearson was wearing his seat belt at the time of the crash.