R. L. McHand - Submitted for the USGenWeb by Richard P. Sevier 3/26/2012

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R. L. McHand - Madison Parish, Louisiana 

From Tallulah Madison Journal, February 20, 1975

R. L. McHand, 47, 1420 Florida Street, died last Thursday morning at 5:53 a.m. when his pickup hit a 
transport that blocked U. S. 80. The transport was attempting to negotiate the exit to the highway 
from the west exit Highway 80 Truck Stop. The transport driver, Eugene Mason Barger of Lucerne Valley, 
Calif., was charged with negligent homicide, according to the Louisiana State Police. Another 
transport truck parked on the left hand shoulder apparently prevented the trucker from turning on the 
highway on his initial attempt, state said.

McHand apparently didn't see the truck as visibility was poor due to fog and he rammed into the rig, 
police said. Skid marks began only 15 feet from the accident but damage to McHand's vehicle was severe, 
State Police added. Investigating officers said McHand wasn't going at a high rate of speed when he hit 
the truck.

The fatally injured man was on his way to work in Vicksburg where he was employed by Red Ball Freight Co.

Barger was arrested by state police and later released after posting a $1000 bond.

Funeral services were held 4:30 p.m. Friday at the Meadow Grove Baptist Church with the Rev. Don Rainey 
officiating. Burial was in the Masonic Cemetery in Delhi under the direction of Crothers Funeral Home.

McHand was a native of Haynesville, La. He had lived in Tallulah for 15 years, was a World War II veteran, 
and a member of the Meadow Grove Baptist Church.

Survivors include his widow, Mrs. Betty McHand, of Tallulah; four daughters, Carolyn, Sara, Elizabeth and 
Kathy, all of Tallulah; his mother, Mrs. Mattie Lee McHand of Rayville; three brothers, Thomas McHand of 
Tallulah and Charles and Willie McHand, both of Rayville; two sisters, Mrs. Lillie Mae McKnight of Buras 
and Mrs. Pearlie Mae Kuatt of Baron, Calif.

Pallbearers were James Still, Wendell Sellers, Chester Deggans, Herbert White, Frank Skipper and Gerald Lott.