Councilman pleads no contest in fatal wreck

Published 11:45 pm Friday, September 12, 2014

By Stephen Hemelt
L’Observateur

CONVENT — St. James Parish Councilman Terry McCreary pleaded no contest Monday to careless operation in relation to his role in a fatal wreck that took place last year, and eventually claimed the life of Preston O. Barras Jr.

McCreary was ordered to pay a $180 traffic fine and court costs, according to the St. James Parish Clerk of Court’s office.

When reached by L’OBSERVATEUR Thursday about the case, McCreary said he had “no comment.”

McCreary, who represents District 3 on the Parish Council, is director of maintenance for St. James Parish Schools.

He was driving a school district truck Sept. 5, 2013, when he crashed into another truck being driven by Barras, who died 12 days later from injuries sustained in the crash.

The wreck took place on Lutcher Avenue, and Lutcher police eventually charged McCreary with negligent homicide.

District Attorney Ricky Babin recused his office from the case, and the Louisiana Department of Justice, Office of the Attorney General handled the prosecution.

Laura Gerdes Colligan of the Public Information Division said relying solely on the facts and evidence presented, the Attorney General’s Office did not pursue the negligent homicide charge “due to insufficient evidence.”

Assistant Attorney General Frank Brindisi handled the prosecution, but Colligan said she could not make him available for comment.

Colligan also said she was unable to answer what the Attorney General’s office thought the fatal wreck’s contributing factors were or if prosecutors were pleased with the court’s ruling.

St. James Parish Schools Superintendent Lonnie Luce said as soon as his office has written confirmation of the court’s ruling, McCreary will be able to drive again for school business — a function that had been suspended since the fatal wreck, Luce said.