INDEPENDENCE - One person died and a second person was severely injured in a crash on a rural stretch of highway in Tangipahoa Parish Friday evening.

State Police said Keil Heinz Albers, 68, Husser, died after riding in a car where the driver lost control and flipped the vehicle down an embankment on La. 442 east of the Tangipahoa River Bridge.  The driver, identified as Gary Passman, 60, Husser, was taken to the hospital.

Passman was not wearing a seatbelt, troopers said.  Although, Albers was wearing one, yet, still died in the wreck. 

Troopers do not suspect speed or impairment to have been factors in this crash.  As part of the on-going investigation, Troopers obtained voluntary blood samples from Passman.  The samples will be sent to the Louisiana State Police Crime Lab for analysis.  The crash remains under investigation and any criminal charges will be referred to the Tangipahoa Parish District Attorney’s Office.   

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