Officials identify four accident victims

The identities of four people killed in a Dec. 12 auto accident in Moncla have now been officially released.
Three of the victims were previously named by family members. However, officials would not confirm the identities until DNA tests were conducted. The bodies were too badly burned in the fiery early morning collision to make a positive identification without the forensic tests.
Avoyelles Coroner Dr. L.J. Mayeux said the name of the fourth victim was Charlie Manes, 44 of Effie, who was the driver of a 1999 Chevrolet pickup. His passenger was Kenneth D. Davis, 59, of Deville. The driver of the other vehicle, a 2013 Toyota Prius, was Edith James, 42, of Effie. Her passenger was her son, Jonathan James, 18, of Effie.
The collision resulted in the single largest loss-of-life incident in the parish in recent memory.
The accident occurred shortly after 1 a.m. Dec. 12 on La. Hwy 107, south of La. Hwy 453. State Police said the pickup was southbound on Hwy 107 when the driver lost control, crossed the center line and struck the Prius. The vehicles continued 195 feet south from the impact site. Both vehicles caught fire.
Troopers were unable to determine the make and model of the vehicles at the scene due to the extensive damage.
Mayeux said it appears all four were killed on impact.