Two Louisiana residents evacuating from Hurricane Rita werekilled in an accident Thursday night on Highway 98 East in theHolmesville community.

Tommy Taylor, 69, and Emma Jean Taylor, 69, both of LakeCharles, La., were killed when Tommy Taylor lost control of the1998 Mercury Mountaineer, causing it to overturn and roll severaltimes before coming to rest on its roof in the highway, said StaffSgt. Rod Crawford, public affairs officer for the MississippiHighway Patrol.

Another passenger, Garcia Bogota, 25, also of Lake Charles,received only a slight injury and was treated at the scene,Crawford said.

The Taylors were pronounced dead at the scene. Hartman FuneralHome is in charge of arrangements.

All three were wearing their seat belts, Crawford said.

The trooper could not say what caused the crash but said “therewas an erratic steering maneuver by the driver” indicating he mayhave been trying to avoid something in the road.