On the night of February 8, 2011 Southeastern student Matthew Weller, 19, of Slidell was killed in a head-on collision with a freightliner 18 wheeler. State Trooper Troop L was notified of the crash on Interstate 10 south of the I-10, I-59, I-12 junction in Slidell at 9:15 p.m. and responded accordingly. “Upon arrival to the scene, troopers discovered a severely damaged vehicle across the westbound lanes of Interstate 10 and an 18 wheeler stopped on the right shoulder.” said Trooper First Class Nick Manale. “First responders discovered that Weller had been ejected from the vehicle and onto the left westbound lane of the interstate. Weller was deceased at the scene by the St. Tammany Parish Coroner’s Office.”
The preliminary investigation revealed that the crash occurred as a 2002 Chrysler Concord, driven by Weller, was traveling eastbound on Interstate 10 when it veered to the left crossing the median and entering the westbound side of the Interstate. Why Weller crossed the median into oncoming traffic is unknown. Upon entering the westbound lanes of I-10, the Chrysler impacted an oncoming 18 wheeler traveling west in the center lane. After impact with the Freightliner, the Chrysler split in half ejecting the driver onto the westbound lanes of the interstate. Due to the extent of the vehicle damage, whether or not Weller’s seatbelt was used is unknown.
The driver of the 18 wheeler, Donald Grover, age 49, of Darrow, LA, received no injuries in the crash. He submitted a breath alcohol test showing no detectable signs of alcohol in his system.
According to Manale, a toxicology analysis Weller is pending at the Louisiana State Police Crime Lab.
Weller’s family will host his wake at the Honaker funeral home in slidell from 5-9 p.m. on Feb. 18. The visitation will be held at Saint Luke’s church, also in Slidell, from 9-11 a.m.
Weller’s family and friends have created a Facebook page in his honor promoting a party that will be held to honor him. This page can be visited at the Matt Weller Memorial event page on Facebook.