Two die in multi-vehicle North Shore accident

Tuesday at approximately 4:45 pm, Louisiana State Police Troop L responded to a multi-vehicle crash on US 190 in front of Troop L Headquarters. The crash involved four vehicles, blocked US 190 northbound, and claimed the lives of two north shore residents. The St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office, Mandeville Police Department, Louisiana Probation and Parole, and St. Tammany Fire District 4 from Mandeville assisted Troop L with traffic congestion during the investigation.
The preliminary investigation revealed a 2013 Ford Edge operated by Gordon Johnson (B/M 54) of Covington was southbound on US 190 in the left lane near Troop L. A 2007 Toyota Avalon operated by Corinne Talbert (W/F 63) of Madisonville, a 2005 Toyota Tundra operated by Adrien Deynoodt (W/M 46) of Covington, and a 2001 Chevrolet Tahoe operated by Jose Martinez (O/M 27) of Covington were northbound on US 190 also near Troop L. Johnson, for reasons under investigation, veered to the right, sideswiped a 2007 Jeep, gradually exited the roadway to the left, and entered the grass median.
Johnson continued southbound in the median, entered the northbound lanes and drove south in the center lane. The Ford continued south in the northbound center lane for approximately half of a mile striking the Toyota Avalon head on. The Ford became partially airborne as it rotated and was struck by the Toyota Tundra in the left lane. The Ford, also while airborne, struck the right front corner and the top right side of the Chevrolet before coming to rest against the Toyota Tundra partially in the median.
Johnson and Talbert sustained life threatening injuries and were pronounced dead on the scene by the St. Tammany Parish Coroner’s Office. Deynoodt received minor injuries and Martinez was not injured. All parties were restrained. Deynoodt and Martinez voluntarily submitted to breath tests and no detectable alcohol was found in their systems. Impairment is not suspected on Talbert’s part and it is unknown if impairment contributed on Johnson’s part. Blood samples were collected from Johnson and Talbert so toxicological analyses could be performed. Those results are pending as this crash remains under investigation.