By KERI CHAMPION

Staff Reporter

LAPLACE- A four-vehicle crash in St. John the Baptist Parish killed two people on Saturday.

According to police reports, a 2001 Ford Explorer, driven by a Hispanic male, was traveling westbound on I-10 when it crossed the median and entered the eastbound lanes of I-10. As the Explorer crossed into the eastbound lanes it drove into the path of a Toyota Camry, which subsequently struck the vehicle as it crossed.

State Police said Janice Guss, 46, of LaPlace died in the accident, while the other death was an illegal immigrant whose name could not be released at this time.

&#8220Upon impact, both the Explorer and the Camry began to spin, and a Volvo 18 wheeler that had swerved to the left, in an attempt to avoid a collision, hit the Camry. When the 18 wheeler hit the Camry the truck fell onto the right side and slid and came to a stop upon striking a 1999 Subaru Forester on its left rear quarter panel,” police said.

The driver of the Camry was pronounced dead at the scene and the driver of the Explorer was transported to River Parishes Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Police are withholding the names of the victims until family members can be contacted.

The cause of the crash in still under investigation, and it is unknown whether driver impairment is a factor in the case. Results are pending a toxicology examination.

Louisiana state trooper Brett Pike is continuing his investigation at this time.