The Daily News

Former Varnado mayor died in Dec. 10 crash on La. 21

FRANKLINTON - A 23-year-old Angie resident, Durand Smith, was booked into the Washington Parish Jail at about 3:30 p.m. on New Year's Day on three charges, including negligent homicide.

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According to Trooper Louis Calato of the Louisiana State Police, Smith was booked into the jail following his release from the hospital. He had been hospitalized since a Dec. 10 crash that claimed the life of former Varnado mayor Dennis Magee, 49.

Calato said Smith was arrested at the time of the crash, but had been hospitalized for treatment of his injuries.

Calato said Smith has been charged with driving left of center, driving without a driver's license and negligent homicide.

"Results from his blood test are still pending," Calato said, adding that "if they come back positive (for alcohol or drugs), the case can go back to the D.A. and the charges can be upgraded."

The crash, which occurred about 4:15 a.m., occurred at milepost 43.2 on Louisiana Highway 21 when a northbound 1996 van driven by Smith of Angie crossed the centerline of the highway and struck the 1989 pickup driven by Magee head-on.

A third vehicle was involved, but the driver, 30-year-old Patrick Haynes of Foxworth, Miss., was not injured.