Weekend proves deadly on Terrebonne Parish’s highways

Four people died in two separate crashes, and another man was seriously injured last weekend in the Houma area. The deaths included three teens.

The first incident occurred on Friday when a man crossing La. 55 on his riding lawnmower was seriously injured when he was hit by a motorcycle.

Reports say that Wallace Tabor, 53, was attempting to cross La. 55 at approximately 7:20 p.m., when 17-year old Sterling Billiot’s motorcycle hit the lawn mower.

Tabor was transported to Thibodaux Regional Medical Center.

Billiot and his only passenger, 17-year-old Brook Bourg, of Montegut, received minor injuries. Reports say that Billiot was wearing a Department of Transportation-approved helmet, but Bourg wasn’t.

According to police reports, 13-year-old Nicholas Delco of Houma was driving a stolen 2004 Toyota Camry south on St. Louis Canal Road Saturday evening. Also in the car with Delco were Brett Feet, 17, and Dazerio Williams, 17, both of Houma.

Witnesses say that the vehicle was traveling at a high speed, when Delco failed to negotiate a right curve. After crossing the centerline, the Camry hit a northbound 2003 Dodge Ram truck head-on.

Kenneth Duplantis, 61, of Houma, was driving the truck and received moderate injuries.

However, the three teenagers received fatal injuries and were pronounced dead at that the scene by the Terrebonne Parish Coronor’s Office.

Reports say that Delco and Feet were wearing seat belts, while Williams was not. Duplantis was also wearing his seat built, authorities said.

The third crash happened at approximately 11:35 p.m. Saturday on West Tunnel Boulevard, near Polk Street. According to reports, several motorcyclists were traveling the road when Ryan Martin, 28, of Houma, failed to negotiate a right curve and was ejected from his motorcycle after hitting the raised median.

Kyndal Verdin, 27, of Houma, later turned to check on Martin. Verdin also struck the raised median and was later ejected from his motorcycle after a crash, authorities said.

Reports say that Verdin was later pronounced dead at Terrebonne General Medical Center. Martin received moderate injuries, according to reports.

Authorities say that both men were wearing helmets, however Verdin’s was not DOT-approved. It was unclear if Martin’s was DOT approved.

All three crashes are pending blood tests to determine if drugs or alcohol played a roll, according to police.