Three people killed in St. John after 18-wheeler crosses center line - NOLA.com

Three people were killed and one man was seriously injured on Tuesday morning in St. John Parish after an 18-wheeler crossed the center line on Louisiana 3127, according to the State Police.

A 2006 Peterbilt tractor truck driven by Damion Robinson, 43, of Boutte, was traveling north on Louisiana 3127, near Louisiana 3213, when the truck crossed the center line and entered the southbound lane.

That truck then sideswiped a 2007 Chevrolet Silverado driven by Chad Hebert, 45, of Chackbay, causing a chain reaction, according to State Police.

Saul Montoya, 42, of Prairieville, who was driving a 2006 Honda behind the Silverado, attempted to avoid the crash by traveling onto the southbound shoulder. But, the Honda then was struck head-on by the Peterbilt, according to State Police.

After that impact, the Peterbilt pushed the Honda more than 120 feet off the road before the Honda came to rest in a canal.

Montoya and his two passengers -- Lucio Hernandez-Gelindo, 45, also of Prairieville, and Horacio Cordero-Marquez, 34, of Baton Rouge -- were pronounced dead on the scene by the St. John Coroner's Office, according to State Police.

Hebert was taken to University Hospital in New Orleans with serious injuries. Robinson was not injured in the crash, according to the State Police.

All the individuals involved in the crash were wearing their seat belts except Cordero. Robinson submitted to a breathalyzer test and the results were negative for alcohol, according to State Police.

Routine toxicology tests are pending at the St. John Parish Coroner's Office for Montoya. A blood sample could not be obtained from Hebert because he went into emergency surgery, according to State Police.

Robinson was arrested and booked into the St. John Parish Jail with four counts of vehicular negligent injuring and one count of driving left of center but State Police said the St. John District Attorney's Office is reviewing the charges and that they might be upgraded.

Motorists who witness hazardous situations can call *LSP (*577) to report such activity to the State Police.