Campus cop dies in crash

A weekend crash has claimed the life of a five-year Nicholls State University police officer.

According to Louisiana State Police Troop C, Joseph M. Suitt, 30, of Thibodaux, was killed in a single vehicle crash on Menard Street at the intersection with Audubon Avenue in Thibodaux.

Troop C spokesman, Master Trooper Bryan Zeringue said troopers were called to the crash scene at approximately 7:14 a.m. Saturday morning.

When there, Zeringue said they discovered that Suitt’s 2007 Hyundai Tucson was operating southbound on Menard Street and failed to stop at the stop sign at Audubon Avenue.

Zeringue said the vehicle then crossed Audubon Avenue before crashing into the Historical Research Center Building located on Nicholls’ campus.

The university police officer was located inside the vehicle and was transported to Thibodaux Regional Medical Center where he was pronounced dead from injuries he received in the wreck.

Zeringue said Suitt was not wearing his seatbelt.

The Nicholls State community released a statement following the announcement of Suitt’s death.

University President Dr. Stephen T. Hulbert said Suitt was a well-liked member of the force during his time with the University.

“The Nicholls family is saddened by the loss of this dedicated police officer,” Hulbert said. “Sgt. Suitt was a much-loved member of the university community, and our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends.”

Zeringue said the involvement of alcohol or drug use is not known in this incident. He added that a blood test was conducted at the scene of the crash and toxicology results are pending from the Lafourche Parish Coroner’s Officer.

Those results are expected sometime within the next week to two weeks, he said.