VACHERIE — A head-on collision Friday morning in St. James Parish claimed the lives of both drivers, authorities said.

Louisiana State Police Troop C spokesman Jesse LaGrange said Morris Keller, 84, of Vacherie and Valerie Caesar, 55, of Raceland were pronounced dead at the scene on Louisiana 20 in Vacherie by the St. James Parish Coroner’s Office.

Crash investigators said the two-vehicle collision occurred shortly after 10:30 a.m. Friday on Louisiana 20, near St. Patrick Street.

The initial investigation indicates Keller was driving west on Louisiana 20 in a 1997 Ford F-150 when he approached a 2007 Ford Escape, driven eastbound on Louisiana 20 by Caesar.

For unknown reasons, Keller crossed the centerline and struck Caesar’s vehicle head on, LaGrange said.

Keller and Caesar were killed as the result of injures suffered during the crash.

LaGrange said 47-year-old Marjorie Caesar, a passenger in the Ford Escape, was taken to the hospital with moderate injuries. Authorities said all occupants were wearing seatbelts.

While alcohol is not suspected as a factor in the crash, according to LaGrange, the Coroner’s Office is conducting tests to determine any alcohol, drug or medical contributors.

LaGrange said the posted speed limit is 50 mph, adding speeding is not considered a wreck factor.