A local Slidell cab driver, set to retire on Monday, was killed early Saturday morning by a suspected impaired driver. Shortly before 3:00 A.M. Saturday morning, 63 YO Byron Rhodes from Lacombe was traveling east on Highway 190W near N. Harrison Road. A 2008 Chevy Trailblazer, driven by 27-year-old, Kevin Lewis, crossed the center line, and struck Rhodes’ 2005 Nissan pickup truck, head-on. Rhodes suffered fatal injuries and was pronounced dead 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. He also said he has instructed his officers to increase traffic enforcement with ZERO TOLERANCE for impaired driving.
Lewis was arrested and charged with: Vehicular Homicide, Possession of a Schedule I Narcotic, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Improper Lane Usage. Lewis was booking into the Slidell City Jail, but has since been transported to the St. Tammany Parish Jail where a bond will be set.
