By ROBIN SHANNON

L’Observateur

LAPLACE – Authorities with State Police say an incident of road rage by two speeding drivers lead to an accident on Interstate 310 in St. Charles Parish Friday that injured a New Orleans man.

Trooper Melissa Matey, spokesperson for State Police Troop B, said the accident occurred in the northbound lanes of I-310 at milepost 2.7, near the I-10 interchange.

According to investigators, a 2007 Dodge truck, driven by Michael Langley, 23, of Independence, was traveling north on I-310 at a high rate of speed in the left lane. A 2006 Ford F-150, driven by Vernell Foster, 63, of New Orleans, was following Langley’s truck in the left lane.

Langley moved to the right lane because Foster was following too closely in the Ford truck, but Foster followed him into the right lane, Matey said. Both vehicles were still traveling at a high rate of speed.

At that point, Langley applied the brakes of his Dodge truck. The Ford swerved into the left lane to avoid hitting the Dodge and impacted the left bridge rail. Matey said the speed prior to the crash and the force of the impact, caused the Ford to overturn and come to rest in the right lane. Langley left the scene of the crash without stopping. 

Foster and a passenger in the Ford were transported to St. Charles Hospital in Luling with minor injuries.

After interviewing witnesses at the scene, Troopers obtained a description of the Dodge truck and tracked down Langley, who was cited for negligent injuring, reckless operation, hit and run and simple obstruction of a highway. Matey said Foster was also cited for reckless operation.

Matey said the incident should serve as a reminder to drivers of the dangers of anger behind the wheel and asked that the public drive safely and exercise extra patience on the roads during the holiday season. Drivers who witness hazardous situations and possibly impaired drivers are urged to call *LSP (*577) and report that activity State Police.