Two die in Paradis accident

PARADIS – A single-vehicle crash reported to Louisiana State Police Tuesday morning was discovered to be a fatality accident, involving two people, still unidentified.

Louisiana State Police Troop B spokesman Sgt. Victor Schilleci reported that troopers were called to investigate a single-vehicle accident, westbound on Bayou Gauche Road near U.S. Highway 90.

Upon arrival, it was found that a 1995 Mercury Grand Marquis, which apparently had been traveling at a high rate of speed, traveled off the roadway to the northside and struck a utility pole.

The passenger of the Mercury was pronounced dead at the scene, Schilleci said, while the female driver was transported to Charity Hospital in New Orleans, in critical condition. Her condition was not known at press time.

St. Charles nabs suspect in murder

By VICKIE JAMBON

Staff Reporter

HAHNVILLE – A 15-year-old Florida juvenile accused of murdering his

67-year-old Jacksonville grandmother is being held in the Terrebonne Parish Detention Center. The boy, along with his 14-year-old girlfriend, were arrested by St. Charles Parish authorities after it was discovered they were driving a stolen vehicle belonging to the murdered Jacksonville woman.

According to the St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s Office, the two teenagers were pulled over Sunday at 9:49 p.m. on U.S. Highway 90 for speeding.

“They were driving 63 mph in a 45-mph speed zone,” said Chief of Investigation Maj. Sam Zinna.

(See SUSPECT, Page 5A)

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When authorities ran a check on the vehicle, they were told the car was reported stolen and that it was believed to be the car of a murdered Jacksonville woman. Authorities then arrested the two juveniles.

Two detectives from the Jacksonville Police Department arrived in St. Charles Parish Monday morning via the police department’s private airecraft.

According to Zinna, the detectives flew back to Jacksonville with the girl Monday night.

Zinna said the boy was being held on a warrant for the first degree murder of Patricia Ann Barnes.

“He will be held here as a fugitive until the Florida State Office of Juvenile Justice gets involved,” said Zinna.

According to Zinna, charges filed on the two juveniles by St. Charles Parish authorities were dropped.

The female was previously charged with illegal possession of stolen things and with being a fugitive/runaway.

The male had been charged with illegal possession of stolen things, maximum speed limit, careless operation, aggravated flight from an officer and all drivers must secure a license.

“He has much bigger charges facing him now,” said Zinna

Jacksonville authorities could not be reached for comment before press time.