By Pat Culverhouse

A two-vehicle, head-on collision on LA Hwy. 531 around 3:15 a.m. Saturday has claimed the life of a Haynesville man and left two others suffering serious injuries.

Minden Chief of Police Jared McIver identified the deceased as 26-year-old Michael Hice. He reportedly was a passenger in a vehicle driven by 23-year-old Slaid Gandy of Minden. Gandy reportedly was taken to a Shreveport hospital where he was listed in critical condition.

McIver said the driver of the second vehicle, 70-year-old Melvin West of Kilgore, Texas, is also in critical condition in a Shreveport hospital.

According to statements taken during the early stages of the investigation, the vehicle driven by Gandy was traveling north on Hwy. 531 when it apparently crossed the center line, running head-on into the southbound F250 commercial pickup truck driven by West. 

McIver said the accident is still under investigation. 

“We’re taking all the necessary steps to try and determine the cause,” he said. 

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