A Columbia resident was injured in a wreck last week on Interstate 59 in Pearl River, La., that claimed the life of a Picayune man.
The Louisiana State Police said Ronnie Joseph Reagan, 32, of Picayune died at University Medical Center in New Orleans following the May 4 accident.
Seggie Tyrone Ruffin, 38, of Columbia suffered moderate injuries, according to a news release, and was transported to Ochsner Medical Center – North Shore for treatment.
There was no indication that Ruffin was impaired at the time of the crash, according to the State Police.
Reagan was driving northbound in a 2004 Ford Expedition in the left lane when Ruffin’s 2012 Lexus hit him from behind, the news release said. The collision caused Reagan’s SUV to travel into the center median, where it overturned before coming to rest in the median on its side. Reagan was not wearing a seat belt and was ejected.
Acadian Air-med flew him to University Medical Center in New Orleans, where he later died.
The news release said blood samples were collected and will be sent to the Louisiana State Police Crime Lab for analysis. At the conclusion of the investigation, Troopers will forward their findings to the St. Tammany Parish District Attorney’s Office for consultation of criminal charges.
