By LEONARD GRAY

Managing Editor

LAPLACE — The name of the fatality victim in the March 28 accident on Interstate 10 in LaPlace was released Friday.

Spokesman TFC Joseph Piglia stated that Adam R. Mercier, 23, of Metairie, had been the driver who died from being thrown from his car.

Piglia earlier said the name could not be released because the victim’s family has not yet been located to make notification.

The accident happened on Tuesday at 5:41 p.m., when a 2000 Chevrolet Cavalier was traveling eastbound on I-10 at Milepost 197 in LaPlace.

For unknown reasons, according to Louisiana State Trooper Ryan Zimmerman’s initial investigation, Mercier lost control of the vehicle, which spun into the median.

After crossing the median into westbound traffic, it entered the path of a 2005 Honda Accord, driven by Maria Dolan of New Orleans, in the outside lane.

The Accord, unable to turn or stop in time, struck the Cavalier on the driver’s side rear.

The impact threw Mercier, who had not been wearing a seat belt, from the vehicle.

This impact caused fatal injuries to Mercier, according to Piglia.

At this point, the Accord was itself struck from behind by a 2001 Lincoln Navigator, driven by Danielle Davis of Baton Rouge in the same westbound outside lane, who was unable to turn or stop in time.

Dolan was transported to River Parishes Hospital in LaPlace for treatment of her minor injuries, according to State Police.

The cause of the accident remains under investigation by Trooper Zimmerman.