By Cathy Chapman

LSN

KENTWOOD – What started as a peaceful ride with friends turned tragic Saturday morning when ae motorcyclist was killed just west of here.

According to witnesses, Elmus “E.H.” Welch was traveling west on his 2012 Can-Am Spyder motorcycle in the westbound lane of Hwy. 38 when a 2004 Chevrolet Pickup traveling east drove off the roadway and overcorrected, causing the truck to rotate counterclockwise, crossing into the westbound lane. The truck struck the cycle, sending it into the air. The motorcycle came crashing back down, sending debris in all directions.

Welch, 70, of Kentwood, was killed.

The driver of the truck, Robert Morris, 51, also of Kentwood, was allegedly impaired at the time of the crash. Morris was booked into the Tangipahoa Parish Jail, charged with Careless Operation and Vehicular Homicide.

La. State Police Crime Lab is conducting toxicology analysis for both drivers.

The group of motorcyclists were only a few minutes into their trip when the incident occurred. Welch was the last motorcyclist in the group.