VACHERIE – Louisiana State Police Troop C investigated a fatal crash that claimed the life of a Waggaman man and injured two other drivers on Louisiana Highway 3127 in St. John the Baptist Parish near the St. James Parish line Monday morning.
The investigation revealed that a 2013 Nissan Altima was traveling north on Highway 3127 just south of Louisiana Highway 3213. The Altima, which was driven by Alloyd Rideaux, 37, was passing another northbound vehicle when it side swiped a 2010 Ford F-150 traveling south on Highway 3127. The F-150 was driven by James St. Pierre, 58, of St. Amant.
The Altima continued to travel north in the southbound lane after sideswiping the F-150 and struck a 2008 Ford F-250 that was traveling south on Highway 3127 head-on. Rickey Hebert, 46, of Thibodaux was the driver of the F-250. The F-250 was immediately struck a second time by a 1994 GMC Sierra that was traveling south on Highway 3127 and driven by Roy Mahler, 50, of Thibodaux.
The St. John Parish Coroner’s Office pronounced Rideaux dead on the scene. Rideaux’s front seat passenger, Clara Williams, 34, also of Waggaman, was transported to Thibodaux Regional Medical Center with moderate injuries. It is unknown if Rideaux or Williams were wearing seat belts at the time of the crash.
St. Pierre, who was wearing a seat belt, was not injured in the crash. Hebert, who was wearing a seat belt, suffered moderate injuries in the crash and was transported to Thibodaux Regional Medical Center. Mahler, who was wearing a seat belt, was not injured in the crash.
The crash remains under investigation. It is currently unknown whether alcohol was a factor.
Routine toxicology tests are pending for Rideaux.
Blood was taken from Hebert and is pending at the State Police Crime Lab.
St. Pierre and Mahler asubmitted to breath tests and were cleared of any alcohol involvement.