Published: April 28, 2008 05:07 pm      

Fatal accident involved stolen car, drunk driver

By Debby Schamber

The Orange Leader



A 40-year-old Leesville, La. woman died as a result of a two vehicle accident about 11 p.m. Saturday in the 8300 block of Highway 87 in Orange.

According to reports from the Orange Police Department, Lisa Carol Dill was riding as a passenger in a 1994 Saturn when the fatal accident occurred. It was later discovered the vehicle had been reported stolen. Officers also determined the driver, James Birdette Webb, 42, of Deweyville, was driving under the influence during the collision.

Investigators believe a 1990 Ford F-150 pickup truck, driven by 57-year-old Ira Borel of Orange, conducted a right hand turn from West Bluff Road and traveled north on Highway 87 just seconds before the accident occurred. The pickup was hauling a farm tractor on a homemade trailer that was extended past the back tires more than three feet.

Webb, who officers believed to be speeding north on Highway 87 when the accident occurred, reportedly slammed into the back of the trailer and tractor.

Dill and Webb were both transported to Christus St. Elizabeth Hospital in Beaumont, where Dill was pronounced dead on arrival and Webb was treated for non-life threatening injuries. An autopsy has been ordered on Dill.

Webb faces possible charges of intoxication manslaughter and unauthorized use of a motor vehicle.

Borel, the driver of the truck pulling the trailer, was reportedly not injured.