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Three dead in fatality crash

Three people died in a fatality crash in north Caddo Parish Saturday night, said Caddo Sheriff Steve Prator.

About 10:30 p.m., the Caddo Sheriff's Office was notified that a Toyota Corolla traveling southbound in the northbound lane of  I-49 just north of LA Hwy. 169 was involved in a head-on collision with Kia Spectra. The driver of the Toyota, Ronald Elton Wheatley, 34, of Bossier Parish, and the driver of the Kia, Charles Michael Creel, 54, of Atlanta, Texas, received fatal injuries and died at the scene. Also killed in the crash was Creel's 18-year-old son, Caleb Michael Creel. Creel's wife, Linda Jean Creel, 53, was transported to University Health where she is still receiving treatment.

Caddo Sheriff's Lt. Michael Gray said alcohol is believed to be a factor in the crash. An open container was found in Wheatley's vehicle.

Gray said an 18-wheeler was traveling behind the Creel's vehicle and became involved in the crash when the Kia was knocked into its path by the Toyota. The truck then hit the driver's side of the Kia and knocked the vehicle off the road and into a ditch. The driver of the 18-wheeler was not injured.

The accident is being investigated by the Caddo Sheriff's Traffic Safety Unit and Patrol Division. Caddo Fire District #7 and North Caddo EMS also responded and assisted with rescue and transportation.         

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