Vacherie man killed in hit and run
Published 1:47 pm Saturday, August 2, 2014
KENTWOOD — A Vacherie man was run over and killed late Friday night, and authorities are looking for a vehicle that left the scene of the wreck without stopping.
At approximately 11 p.m. Friday, Louisiana State Police Troop L troopers responded to a serious-injury crash involving a 4-wheel all-terrain vehicle on Louisiana 10 and mile marker 197 west of Interstate 55 near Kentwood.
The crash involved an unknown vehicle which rolled over a pedestrian.
State Police said a 2014 Can-Am Outlander 4-wheeler operated by Matthew J. Mahler, 22, of Vacherie and another 4-wheeler were traveling westbound in a drainage ditch that runs along the north side of Louisiana 10 next to the westbound travel lane.
“Mahler, for reasons under investigation, struck a culvert in the ditch, flipped the Cam-Am, and was ejected,” a release from State Police said. “Mahler came to rest in the westbound lane of Louisiana 10. Mahler’s companion on the other 4-wheeler was attempting to render aid to him as an unknown vehicle — a small dark colored sedan — was westbound on Louisiana 10 approaching their location.
“The companion attempted to alert the operator of the on-coming sedan; however, the sedan struck Mahler and continued westbound on Louisiana 10 failing to stop.”
Mahler sustained life threatening injuries and was transported to St. Helena Parish Hospital in Greensburg, where he was later pronounced dead.
Authorities said Mahler was not wearing a D.O.T-approved helmet.
“Alcohol is suspected on Mahler’s part, and a blood sample was collected for a toxicological analysis,” State Police said. “Those results are pending.”
Troopers believe the unknown vehicle could have lower, front bumper and undercarriage damage as a result of the impact with Mahler.
The crash is under investigation, and Troopers ask anyone with information regarding it to contact Louisiana State Police Troop L at 985-893-6250 or a local law enforcement agency.