Police in Slidell say a driver apparently under the influence crashed into a cab driver two days before he was set to retire.
"A local Slidell cab driver, set to retire on Monday, was killed early Saturday morning by a suspected impaired driver," Public Information Officer Daniel Seuzeneau said in a news release.
It happened shortly before 3:00am Saturday morning.
Seuzeneau says that 63-year-old Byron Rhodes of Lacombe was driving east on Highway 190W near N. Harrison Road when A 2008 Chevy Trailblazer, driven by 27-year-old, Kevin Lewis of Lacombe hit him head on.
"Lewis... was traveling west on Highway 190W, crossed the center line, and struck Rhodes’ 2005 Nissan pickup truck."
He says Rhodes died on scene.
"Rhodes, who was traveling to work his shift at a local cab company, was celebrating his last weekend at work before retiring on Monday."
Slidell Police Chief Randy Fandal called it another senseless death at the hands of an impaired driver
“We’ve had multiple serious crashes recently due to impaired driving, including the student driver and instructor this past week," the chief said. "I have instructed our officers to increase traffic enforcement with ZERO TOLERANCE for impaired driving. We preach it over and over to get a ride from an Uber, Lyft, or a cab…and now, Mr. Rhodes, a cab driver, is dead because of a selfish person behind the wheel. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Rhodes family. Be rest assured that justice will be served.”
Lewis faces charges for vehicular homicide, possession of narcotics, possession of drug paraphernalia, and improper lane usage.
