Rash of car crashes claims lives

Three car crashes claimed five lives over four days.

A three-vehicle crash in Bourg resulted in two deaths. An early morning wreck in Gray caused another. And an early Thursday morning crash killed two in Thibodaux.

The crash in Bourg occurred in the early morning hours of Saturday, state police said. Bryce Carpenter, 19, of Livingston, was driving a 2004 Chevrolet Silverado northbound on Louisiana Highway 24, approaching Louisiana Highway 316.

He reportedly ran the red light at the intersection and struck a 2000 Chevrolet Impala, driven by Stella Trahan, 48, of Bourg.

State police said Stella reportedly had a green signal and was making a left turn from La. 316 onto La. 24, when Carpenter’s vehicle struck her driver’s side.

The impact sent Trahan’s vehicle hurtling away, according to authorities. It came to rest on the northbound shoulder about 150 feet north of the impact. It did not strike any other vehicles.

The impact did send Carpenter’s vehicle into a 2005 Mercury Sable, driven by Diana Leblanc, 46, of Bourg.

Before the impact, Leblanc’s vehicle was stopped at the red light on La. 24 southbound at the La. 316 intersection, awaiting to continue south on La. 24, state police said.

Trahan and her husband, her passenger, Manuel Trahan, 58, sustained fatal injuries in the crash and were pronounced dead at the scene by Gary Alford of the Terrebonne Parish Coroner’s Office.

Carpenter received minor injuries in the crash and was transported to the Terrebonne General Medical Center by ambulance. Carpenter, too, had a passenger, Nicole Sevin, 18, of Montegut.

She sustained moderate injuries and refused medical treatment at the scene, authorities said.

Leblanc had a passenger in her vehicle, Genevieve Yarmush, 69, of Bourg.

The state police suspect alcohol and speeding were factors contributing to the accident on the part of Carpenter. As per state law, blood was drawn from Carpenter for testing.

Alcohol is not suspected on Trahan’s part, but her blood is being tested, as well.

Leblanc submitted to a breath test and had a virtually zero percent blood alcohol level.

Carpenter was arrested upon his release from the hospital on two counts of vehicular homicide and disregarding a red signal light.

State troopers are continuing their investigation.

The early morning crash in Gray, where one fatality was sustained, occurred around 3 a.m. on Sunday, according to state police.

A 2003 Ford Econoline van, driven by John Waldrop, 19, of Mobile, was traveling south on La. 24 in the left lane, approaching the intersection of La. 3040.

A 1999 Pontiac Grand AM, driven by Amanda Larpenter, 22, of Gray was traveling east on La. 3040, approaching the intersection.

As Larpenter crossed the intersection, Waldrop’s van struck her car.

After the impact, Larpetner’s vehicle came to rest off the roadway in the southeast corner of the intersection, police said.

Waldrop’s vehicle continued south for about 150 feet and remained on the roadway.

The traffic light cycle at the time of the accident is currently being investigated.

Larpenter sustained fatal injuries in the crash and was pronounced dead at the scene by the Terrebonne Parish Coroner’s Office. She was wearing a seatbelt.

Waldrop sustained minor injuries and refused medical treatment at the scene. He had one passenger, Matthew Branum, 20, of Moble, Ala.

Branum received minor injures and was transported to the Terrebonne General Medical Center by ambulance.

Neither Waldrop nor Branum were wearing seatbelts, state police said.

Waldrop submitted a breath sample, which resulted in a BAC of .126. The legal limit in the state is .08. Waldrop is also under the legal drinking age.

Blood was taken from Larpenter and the results are pending from the coroner’s office.

Waldrop was arrested and charged with vehicular homicide and not wearing a seatbelt.

The investigation is ongoing.

The early morning crash Thursday in north Thibodaux claimed the lives of two people and left one in critical condition, state police said.

According to authorities, Matthew Bernal, 24, of Edgard, was traveling north on La. 308 when his 1998 Honda Accord crossed the centerline and struck a southbound vehicle head-on.

The Lafourche Parish Coroner’s Office pronounced Bernal dead at the scene, state

police said.

Acadian Ambulance transported Bernal’s passenger, Jennie Richeaux, 29, of Thibodaux, to Thibodaux Regional Hospital. Her injuries were critical, police said.

The southbound car, a 2003 Ford Taurus, was being driven by Jarvis Williams, 22, of Vacherie. He was treated at Thibodaux Regional for moderate injuries.

Williams was traveling with two passengers: brothers Joseph and David Harris. David Harris was pronounced dead at the scene, state police said.

Joseph Harris’ minor injuries were treated at Thibodaux Regional.

State police said David Harris was the only occupant of either vehicle not wearing a seat belt.

Blood was drawn from both drivers to be analyzed at the Louisiana State Police Crime Lab for analysis. Police said it is unknown if alcohol or drug-use contributed to the crash.

No charges have been filed, and the case is still under investigation.

According to Trooper Gilbert Dardar Jr., this is the first fatal crash in the region since June 18.