Monday, February 18, 2008

Wreck stuns Albany campusA 1999 Ford pickup towing a utility trailer, driven by Jason Thompson, 30, of 32990 Highway 43, Independence, was moving sout

Wreck stuns Albany campus

Daily Star City Editor

A memorial ceremony on the campus of Albany High School is planned for Wednesday morning to celebrate the life of AHS senior Dallas Stewart Jr., 17, who was killed in a two-vehicle accident on Monday.

His parents, Mr. and Mrs. Dallas Stewart Sr. of Albany, will be present at the ceremony, Principal Bruce Chaffin said.

Chaffin called Stewart “the definition of a great student.” He was a member of the Future Farmers of America.

“Dallas was an amazing young man, the kind who would shake your hand and hug your neck,” he said. “This is a tremendous loss for the school.”

Counselors and ministers are on the school's campus today and will be again on Wednes-day to counsel students and staff who have been stunned by the tragedy, he said.

Students on other area campuses also were saddened as the word of his death spread today.

The accident occurred about 5:10 p.m. on State Highway 43 south of Interstate 12 in Livingston Parish, said Trooper Paul Rand of Troop A.

A 1999 Ford pickup towing a utility trailer, driven by Jason Thompson, 30, of 32990 Highway 43, Independence, was moving southbound on state Highway 43 and made a right turn onto James King Road.

Stewart, of 30610 Crain Road in Albany, was driving a 1993 Toyota truck southward on La. 43 and abruptly steered left to try to avoid a rear-end collision with the Ford, Rand said.

Stewart's Toyota rolled onto its side and hit the utility trailer. A Dodge truck traveling north on La. 43 crashed into the cab of the Toyota. Stewart was not wearing a seatbelt.

Thompson and passenger in his vehicle, Chris Thompson, 28, of Denham Springs, were wearing seatbelt sand were not injured, Rand said.

State police did not identify the driver of the Dodge in their public information report.

Alcohol is not suspected in the case.

McKneely Funeral Home is in charge of arrangeme

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