4 parish residents die over 14 days in tragic roadway stretch

Published 12:06 am Saturday, December 31, 2016

GARYVILLE — Distracted driving was cited as the cause of a violent two-vehicle crash Wednesday evening in Garyville that left two people dead and another three injured, according to Louisiana State Police.

Arlene Richard, 69, and Cecile Oubre, 91, each of Garyville died as a result of injuries sustained in the wreck, authorities said.

This week’s traffic deaths are the latest in what is turning out to be a deadly holiday season on the roads of St. John the Baptist Parish, where four people were killed in the span of 14 days.

Danielle Georgel, 24, of LaPlace was killed Dec. 15 when a vehicle she was in was struck while turning from Airline Highway to Central Avenue in Reserve.

Catherine Murray, 60, of Reserve was killed Dec. 22, the result of injuries suffered in a two-vehicle crash on Airline Highway near Emmett Court in LaPlace.

As for this week’s fatal crash, State Police investigators said Richard was driving a Kia Sportage southbound on River Road at approximately 5:30 p.m. Wednesday when the vehicle was struck by a Dodge Ram truck, driven by 21-year-old Bryce Riggs of Houma, who was traveling northbound on River Road.

“Riggs was engaged in conversation with his passenger, 20-year-old Brent Crochet, and this distraction caused the Dodge to drift into the southbound lane and impact the Kia,” Troop B spokeswoman Melissa Matey said.

“After the initial impact, the Dodge began to rotate and then rolled onto its roof. Riggs and Crochet both suffered moderate injuries and were transported to St. James Parish Hospital.”

The front seat passenger in the Kia, 60-year-old Evette Berthelot, suffered minor injuries and was taken to Ochsner Health Center – River Parishes, authorities said.

Oubre, the left side, rear seat passenger in the Kia, was taken to University Medical Center in New Orleans with critical injuries, authorities said, and later died at the hospital.

Richard was pronounced dead on the scene.

“Speed and driver impairment are not suspected as factors of the crash; however, Riggs submitted to a blood test, and toxicology tests will be performed by the Louisiana State Police Crime Lab,” Matey said.

Charges are pending the crash investigation, according to Matey, who said the St. John the Baptist Parish District Attorney’s Office will make the final call on criminal charges.