Louisiana woman dies, son, 3, in hospital in Jackson

Published 12:00 am Thursday, March 13, 2003

Vicksburg and Northeast Volunteer firefighters, from left, Donell Wince, Willie Holt, Eric Allen and Anthony James work the scene of a fatal car accident on Mississippi 3 Wednesday. The accident occurred shortly after noon near International Paper’s mill.(C. Todd Sherman The Vicksburg Post)

[3/13/03]A near head-on collision with an 18-wheeler cost a Louisiana woman her life north of Vicksburg about noon Wednesday, but medical sources said they expect her 3-year-old son to survive.

Killed was Ronda Elaine Ragan, 29, of 3604 Turtle Creek Lane in St. Rose, La., which is just north of New Orleans, investigators said.

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Her child, identified as Rowan Ragan, 3, was taken to River Region Medical Center and transferred to University Medical Center. He was in good condition this morning, according to a UMC spokesman.

The driver of the Freightliner 18-wheeler was identified as Robert Young, 49, of Springhill, La. He was taken to River Region after the wreck near the entrance to International Paper Company’s Vicksburg Mill. A River Region spokesman said Young was treated for chest pains and released.

Sgt. Arthur Elmore of the Mississippi Highway Safety Patrol said the truck, owned by Dancor Transit Inc. was headed south on Mississippi 3 just before 12:36 p.m. Wednesday when the northbound Mercury Tracer driven by Ragan moved into his lane. He then moved the truck as far to the right as he could, but the collision followed.

After the impact, Elmore said, the Tracer spun around and was hit by the rear wheels of the truck. There was no indication of why the sedan left its lane.

Deputy Warren County Coroner Larry Chisley said Ragan died at the scene of internal injuries, head injuries and a broken neck. Her body was released to Dillon-Chisley Funeral Home in Vicksburg pending further arrangements.