Obituaries:  Bobby L. Laurence, Sabine Parish       L-652
Source:  Sabine Index, Many, La., Jul 3, 1980
Submitted by: Carl Dilbeck
              carlrad@earthlink.net


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Bobby L. Laurence

  A 33 year old Florien man was listed as the fifth fatality in
Sabine Parish Tuesday night, July 1.

  Killed instantly in a one vehicle accident on La. 473,
approximately five miles west of Hornbeck, was Bobby L. Laurence.

  Investigating the accident were Sgt. George Elliott, and Trooper
Guy Singletary of the Louisiana State Police, Troop H in
Leesville.

  According to a state police spokesman, Mr. Laurence was
westbound on La. 473 in a 1972 International log truck, which was
loaded with posts.

  Mr. Laurence apparently lost control in a curve, due to an
unsafe speed, causing the trailer to slide sideways. The load in
the truck apparently shifted, and the rig jackknifed, and turned
over onto the cab. The rig continued down the roadway for 300
feet on its top, before coming to a stop.

  The driver was pinned in the wreckage. Members of the Florien
Rescue Squad and a large wrecker from Leesville, worked for
nearly four hours to free the victim.

  The truck, which was totaled, was owned by Jim Crittenden on
Florien. Mr. Laurence had been an employee of Crittenden's for
several months. They were hauling posts for the Coon Ridge Post
Co. of Florien.

  According to Crittenden, Mr. Laurence was on his way home to
clean up, before leaving on a trip to Eagle Pass, Tex., for a
delivery. The accident occurred approximately two miles from the
Laurence home.

  Previously, Mr. Laurence was employed with Ralph Cook's Wrecking
Yard in Florien.

  The son of Mr. and Mrs. Robert L. Laurence of Florien, Mr.
Laurence was a native of the area. He was a graduate of Hornbeck
High School.

  Upon hearing the news of his son's death, Mr. Laurence was
stricken and rushed to a Shreveport hospital. His condition is
unknown as of press time.

  Mr. Laurence was married, and the father of two small children.

  Funeral arrangements were not finalized as of press time. The
arrangements, however, are being handled by the Warren Meadows
Funeral Home.