Louisiana cab driver killed by impaired driver 2 days before retirement, police say

SLIDELL, La. — A Louisiana cab driver was killed by a suspected impaired driver less than 48 hours before he was set to retire, police said.

Byron Rhodes, 63, of Lacombe, was driving to work shortly before 3 a.m. Saturday when a 2008 Chevy Trailblazer driven by Kevin Lewis, 27, also of Lacombe, crossed the center line. Slidell police officials said Lewis’ SUV struck Rhodes 2005 Nissan pickup truck head-on.

Rhodes was pronounced dead at the scene. Lewis was arrested and charged with vehicular homicide, possession of a Schedule I narcotic, possession of drug paraphernalia and improper lane usage.

Slidell police Chief Randal Fandal said Rhodes was celebrating his last weekend shift before his retirement.

“Another senseless death at the hands of an impaired driver,” Fandal said in a statement. “We’ve had multiple serious crashes recently due to impaired driving, including the student driver and instructor this past week. I have instructed our officers to increase traffic enforcement, with zero tolerance for impaired driving.”

A 17-year-old student driver and her instructor were critically injured shortly before 5:30 p.m. Thursday in Slidell. According to investigators, they were merging into traffic at a roundabout when a speeding 2005 Jeep Liberty struck the 2015 Nissan Versa the student was driving.

“The Nissan Versa came to rest at the opposite end of the roundabout and caught fire,” a statement from Slidell police officials said. “Several good citizens stopped and rushed to render aid to the student driver and the driving instructor. The owner of a nearby mechanic shop extinguished the flames, while others pulled the occupants out of the wreckage.

“Both occupants were rushed to University Medical Center in New Orleans with critical injuries. They both suffered multiple broken bones, fractures, and head injuries.”

The driver of the Jeep, Jarrod Sciacca, 34, is charged with two counts of first-degree negligent injury, reckless operation of a motor vehicle, driving while intoxicated and driving with a suspended license. Sciacca was not injured in the crash, authorities said.

Fandal said Thursday that Sciacca had no excuse to be behind the wheel, and that the student driver and her teacher did not deserve what happened to them.

“The man responsible for this needs to spend as many years in jail as the law will allow,” the chief said.

He reiterated his feelings about impaired driving after Rhodes was killed.

“We preach it over and over to get a ride from an Uber, Lyft, or a cab,” Fandal said. “Now, Mr. Rhodes, a cab driver, is dead because of a selfish person behind the wheel. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Rhodes family. Rest assured that justice will be served.”

Cox Media Group