CENTERVILLE – Louisiana State Police Troop I investigated a two-vehicle fatal crash Tuesday night on U.S. 90 in St. Mary Parish. The crash, which occurred shortly before 10 p.m., injured one man and killed another and had the roadway blocked for several hours due to a hazardous materials spill. Troopers and Hazmat crews were on the scene until almost 5:30 a.m. this morning.

Troopers’ investigation revealed that a 2009 Chevrolet SUV, being driven by Damiyhan Verrett, 33, of Raceland, was traveling west in the eastbound lanes of US 90 when it struck an eastbound vehicle. The eastbound vehicle was a 2008 Dodge one-ton pickup pulling a gooseneck trailer that was transporting flammable and corrosive hazardous materials. After impact, the pickup travelled through the median, crossed both westbound lanes of U.S. 90, and came to rest in a wooded area north of the roadway. Louisiana DEQ and LSP Hazmat remained on-scene to oversee the cleanup efforts through the night.

Verrett was pronounced deceased on the scene by the St. Mary Parish Coroner’s Office. The driver of the pickup, Stuart Primeaux, 51, of Lafayette, sustained moderate injuries and was transported to a local hospital. Troopers suspect Verrett was impaired, which played a factor in this crash. They do not suspect impairment on Primeaux. However, Troopers have submitted samples of both drivers blood to the Louisiana State Police Crime Lab for chemical analysis.