Jennings man dies in crash near Oberlin

Special to the American Press

OBERLIN — A Jennings man died and his passenger was seriously injured Tuesday after their SUV crossed the center line and struck a truck head-on on La. 26, just east of Oberlin, State Police said.

John M. Whitaker, 33, of Jennings was pronounced dead at the scene by the Allen Parish Coroner’s Office. His passenger, who has not been identified, was airlifted to an Alexandria hospital with serious injuries.

A preliminary investigation found that a 2004 Toyota 4Runner, driven by Whitaker, was traveling east in a curve when it crossed the centerline and struck a large commercial vehicle head-on.

The driver of the truck was not injured. All occupants were wearing a seat belt.

A toxicology sample was obtained from both drivers and will be submitted for analysis.

The crash remains under investigation.

Troop D has investigated 18 fatal crashes, resulting in 18 deaths this year.

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John M. Whitaker, 33, of Jennings was killed and his passenger seriously injured Tuesday when their SUV crossed the center line and struck a truck head-on on La. 26, just east of Oberlin. The driver of the truck was not injured.

Special to the American Press
””

John M. Whitaker, 33, of Jennings was killed and his passenger seriously injured Tuesday when their SUV crossed the center line and struck a truck head-on on La. 26, just east of Oberlin. The driver of the truck was not injured.

Special to the American Press””

John M. Whitaker, 33, of Jennings was killed and his passenger seriously injured Tuesday when their SUV crossed the center line and struck a truck head-on on La. 26, just east of Oberlin. The driver of the truck was not injured.

Special to the American Press

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