Lafayette Parish – Shortly after 11:00 p.m., on November 4, 2022, Troopers from Louisiana State Police Troop I were notified of a crash involving a bicyclist that occurred on Louisiana Highway 94 near Longbridge Road in Lafayette Parish. The crash claimed the life of a 67-year-old Paul Gerald Mouton of Lafayette.

The initial investigation by State Police revealed that Mouton was riding his bicycle east on LA 94. At the same time, a 2002 Chevrolet Malibu was traveling east on LA 94 and struck the bicycle. After the collision, Mouton was ejected from the bicycle. Troopers determined the bicycle was not equipped with a rear light or reflector and Mouton was wearing dark clothing.

Mouton received fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene by the Lafayette Parish Coroner’s Office. Impairment on the part of his part is unknown at this time but a standard toxicology sample was submitted for analysis. The driver of the Malibu was properly restrained and was not injured. She did submit a blood sample and showed no signs of impairment. This crash remains under investigation.

Louisiana State University’s Center for Analytics and Research reports there were 638 bicycles involved in crashes and 532 people were injured or killed in Louisiana in 2021. Louisiana law requires bicycles to be equipped with brakes, lights (at night) white on front and red on rear, *Reflectors rear and side, *Audible warning device (no siren or whistle)

Troop I has investigated 49 fatal crashes resulting in 55 deaths in 2022.