An Amite man has been taken into custody following a deadly two-car collision on Saturday night. According to the WGNO, Louisiana State Police confirmed the arrest of Broderick C. McKnight, 34, who was driving while impaired at the time of the incident that resulted in the fatality of 82-year-old Wilbert Banks.
The crash took place on U.S. Highway 51 near Anderson Road around 11 p.m.; McKnight was behind the wheel of a 2001 Nissan Frontier when he crossed the centerline and collided head-on with Banks' 2000 Ford Ranger, "Two unrestrained passengers in the Nissan sustained moderate injuries and were also taken to the hospital for treatment," and Banks, who was utilizing a seatbelt at the time, died at the scene, the severity of the situation underlined by a release obtained by WWLTV.
McKnight, who reportedly did not wear a seatbelt, was seriously injured during the incident and subsequently hospitalized. The Louisiana State Police have initiated charges against McKnight for vehicular homicide, driving left of center, driving on a suspended license, and not wearing a seatbelt according to Louisiana State Police. Further investigation into the crash is ongoing, and toxicology samples from both McKnight and Banks have been procured for analysis.
