Update: 2 Vacherie residents die in head-on crash

Published 5:08 pm Wednesday, September 9, 2015

VACHERIE — Two Vacherie residents died in a car crash Wednesday morning on Louisiana 20 in Vacherie, authorities said.

The investigation revealed a 2007 Pontiac G6 was traveling east on Louisiana 20 in St. James Parish near the Lafourche Parish line. The driver of the Pontiac was Nicole Herbert, 40, of Vacherie. Herbert crossed the centerline of Louisiana 20 and entered the westbound lane, striking a 2015 Kia Optima head-on. Mitiz Oubre, 45, of Vacherie was driving the Kia. Both drivers were pronounced dead at the scene by the St. James Parish Coroner’s office, Herbert was wearing a seatbelt and Oubre was not.

Louisiana State Police Trooper Evan Harrell said no one else was in either of the vehicles during the crash.

Harrell said that the posted speed limit on that particular section of Louisiana 20 is 55 mph.

“The investigation is still ongoing to determine the speeds of the vehicles at impact,” Harrell said. “But, speed is not considered a factor as of right now.”

Even though both drivers were pronounced dead at the scene by the Coroner, a toxicology test is pending for both drivers.

“It’s the standard practice for the Coroner’s office,” Harrell said. “We need to conduct a thorough investigation to determine what were the factors in the crash. Toxicology reports will determine whether or not any individuals were impaired at the time of the crash.”

— By Raquel Derganz Baker