By ROBIN SHANNON

L’Observateur

LAPLACE – A LaPlace man was killed Monday evening in Jefferson Parish after his motorcycle collided with another vehicle pulling out of a shopping center in Elmwood, according to a release from the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office.

James P. Upton, 58, was transported to Ochsner Medical Center in Elmwood, where he was pronounced dead at about 7:20 p.m. Monday, said Col. James Fortunato, spokesman for the Sheriff’s Office. Fortunato said Upton was treated at the scene of the accident, which occurred around 5: 25 p.m., and his injuries did not appear to be life threatening, but while being transported to the hospital he began to experience medical problems, according to Fortunato.

The accident happened near the intersection of North Corporate Drive and Mounes Street. Upton was driving a 2006 Honda 750 motorcycle eastbound on Mounes Street when a 2005 Honda Civic driven by Jamilia Pichon, 32, of Metairie, pulled out from the Elmwood Shopping Center onto Mounes Street and Upton’s motorcycle struck her vehicle. Pichon said she did not see the motorcycle coming. Upton was ejected from the motorcycle.

No charges have been filed against Pichon, pending the results of an autopsy by the Jefferson Parish Coroners Office, said Fortunato.