LULING – A St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s deputy was killed Sunday in a crash on Paul Maillard Road while responding to a call.
On Sunday at approximately 8:45 p.m., Louisiana State Police Troop B investigated a fatal crash in St. Charles Parish on Louisiana High 52, also Known as Paul Maillard Road, at Post Drive. Deputy Jeff Watson, a 12-year veteran with the Sheriff’s Office, was killed as a result of the crash.
The Sheriff’s Office released the following statement Monday: “It is a sad day for The St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s Office. Deputy Watson was a dedicated public servant who will be deeply missed by all St. Charles Parish residents. Please keep his family, the other drivers involved in this tragic accident, and The St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s Office in your thoughts and prayers.”
Preliminary investigation revealed that Watson, 41, was on-duty and responding to a call for service in his fully marked 2010 Dodge Charger. Watson was traveling on Highway 52 north approaching Post Drive with his emergency lights activated. A 2004 Toyota Tundra, driven by Dallas Veillon, 56, of Luling was traveling on Highway 52 south and made a left turn onto Post Drive in the path of the Charger. The Charger impacted the Tundra on the right side, which forced the Charger into the oncoming southbound lane of travel. The Charger then impacted a 2004 Ford Expedition head-on. The Expedition was driven by Arthur Tregre, 80, of Hahnville. A 2007 Honda Motorcycle, driven by Aaron Hagmann, 29, of Luling was traveling behind the Expedition and struck the rear of the Expedition after the impact with the Charger.
Watson was transported to St. Charles Parish Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Veillon and Hagmann were also transported to St. Charles Parish Hospital with minor injuries. Tregre was transported to the LSU Public Hospital Level 1 Trauma Center with critical injuries. Impairment is not suspected, however blood was drawn from Veillon and Tregre, and a toxicology analysis will be conducted by the Louisiana State Police Crime Lab. Toxicology results on Watson are pending an autopsy. Watson and Tregre were not wearing seat belts, and speed is a factor of the crash.
The crash remains under investigation.
Watson, who was a resident of Destrehan, previously worked for the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office. Watson is survived by his wife Lynsey and stepdaughter Abrial.
Watson is the first St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s Deputy to die in the line of duty since 1982 and just the fourth line-of-duty death in the department’s 200-year history. Funeral arrangements are pending.