Mississippi Woman Arrested in Fatal Hit and Run

Early Sunday (October 1, 2017) morning, Troopers from Louisiana State Police Troop L responded to a two-vehicle hit and run fatal crash on I-12 near the Tangipahoa/St. Tammany Parish line. The crash claimed the life of Albert J. Watson 59) of Denham Springs.
Troopers determined that the crash occurred when Watson's vehicle was hit from behind by the vehicle driven Deana Marie Collier (52) of Sandersville, MS. The impact caused Watson’s vehicle to exit the right side of the roadway, strike a tree and overturn. He was transported to North Oaks Health Systems by Acadian Ambulance in critical Condition but succumbed to his injuries shortly after his arrival.
After the impact, Collier drove approximately a quarter mile beyond the crash scene, turned off her lights, and called her son. She made no other calls or attempts to render aid to Watson. Collier was speaking to her son when Troopers first discovered her. Collier performed poorly on a standardized field sobriety test. She was transported to North Oaks Health Systems by Acadian Ambulance, where she was treated for minor injuries. After her release, Collier was booked into the Tangipahoa Parish Jail for Vehicular Homicide and Felony Hit-and-Run.