By Stephen Hemelt
L’Observateur

ST. ROSE — A violent single-vehicle wreck Saturday night took the life of a St. Rose man.

The investigation is ongoing, and Louisiana State Police or the St. Charles Parish District Attorney’s office may file criminal charges based on the case’s result.

The wreck occurred shortly after 11 p.m. Saturday on Louisiana 626 at milepost 1, killing Charles Green Jr., 20, of St. Rose, the vehicle’s front seat passenger.

Trooper Melissa Matey of Louisiana State Police Troop B said preliminary investigation revealed 19-year-old Christopher Lymous of St. Rose was driving a 2009 Dodge Charger south on Louisiana 626 when, “for unknown reasons,” the Dodge entered the northbound lane before re-entering the southbound lane and losing control.

The Dodge then ran off the road, Matey said, entered a ditch and struck several trees before it began flipping. Green was ejected and pronounced dead on the scene.

Lymous and a rear seat passenger, Justin Houston, 18, of St. Rose, each reported minor injuries. None of the occupants were wearing seatbelts, Matey said.

“We have to download some information from the vehicle and find out the speed the vehicle was traveling and wait for toxicology results to come back,” Matey said. “That is why the investigation is still ongoing.”

The Dodge was traveling in excess of the speed limit, and investigators must download the crash data recorder on the vehicle to find out the exact speed, according to Matey.

“Once we get that information back, then we’ll determine whether or not criminal charges are justified,” Matey said, adding the decision would be up to State Police or the St. Charles D.A.’s office.

Troopers have obtained a blood sample from Lymous, and results are pending. Matey said impairment is not believed to be a factor.