Fla. man hurt in 18-wheeler crash

A Florida man is in critical condition after his Honda Civic struck an 18-wheeler, which failed to yield while negotiating a U-turn on U.S. Hwy. 90 Tuesday, state police reported.

The incident occurred around 10 p.m. in Lafourche Parish, State Police Trooper First Class Rodney Hyatt said. Bryan Gardiner, 49, of Youngsville, La., was traveling east on U.S. Hwy. 90 in his 2002 International 18-wheeler when he made a U-turn at the intersection of La. 182, the spokesman said. The Civic, which was driven by Robert Edes, 60, of Milton, Fla., was traveling in the westbound lane when it struck the truck, he said.

Gardiner was traveling alone and was not injured in the crash, Hyatt said. He submitted to a voluntary alcohol breath test, which he passed, the officer said.

Acadian Ambulance transported Edes to St. Anne Hospital with what appeared to be serious injuries, Hyatt said. Blood was drawn from Edes, and was forwarded to the Louisiana State Police Crime Lab for testing, he said.

Gardiner was charged with failure to yield while turning, the officer said.