Hurricane Gustav claimed two victims in the Warren County area Sunday afternoon — well before the storm made landfall in Louisiana — when an elderly Metairie couple’s car rolled off U.S. 61 North just south of Onward in Sharkey County.

Albert Daigrepont Jr., 86, and his wife, Jennie Rita, 77, both died of head and chest trauma from their injuries, said Warren County Coroner Doug Huskey.

Mrs. Daigrepont was pronounced dead at the scene by Sharkey County Coroner Angela Eason about 3 p.m.

Mr. Daigrepont survived the impact, but was taken to River Region Medical Center and pronounced dead by Huskey at 6:30 p.m.

“The vehicle had apparently run off the road, and when (Mr. Daigrepont) tried to pull the car back onto the road it started to roll,” said Eason, who added both were ejected from the vehicle and did not appear to be wearing seat belts.

The wreck occurred on U.S. 61 North near the intersection of Low Water Bridge Road, said Eason.

The Daigreponts were less than 10 miles away from their destination in Cary, said Robert Martin, a Rolling Fork resident whose sister is married to the Daigrepont’s son, Bruce. Martin said the Daigreponts left Metairie around 9 a.m. Sunday along with their son and daughter, who were making the trip with their families in other vehicles.

The Daigreponts, 725 Hesper Ave., had been residents of Metairie for more than 50 years, Martin said. He remembered the couple as caring, loving grandparents who enjoyed spending their retired years in the company of family and friends.

“Bruce and my sister, Sue, have three little girls that they spent most all of their time with,” Martin said, noting his sister’s family lived near the Daigreponts in Metairie. “They were really friendly people. It’s a tragedy, they had been traveling all day and were only about five minutes from where they were headed.”

Huskey said Glenwood Funeral Home in Vicksburg was holding the bodies until they can be taken to Metairie for services.