Woman on motorcycle killed in Pierre Part crash

A Pierre Part man has been cited in a Sunday crash that claimed the life of a Greenwell Springs woman, Louisiana State Police Troop C reported.

The victim is identified as Shari Akins, 44, of Greenwell Springs.

The other driver involved in the crash was identified as Craig Aucoin, 24, of Pierre Part.

The accident was reported to state police shortly after 8 p.m. Sunday, Troop C said. The two-vehicle crash was on La. 70 at the intersection with Verret Street.

According to Troop C, the preliminary investigation revealed that Aucoin was traveling north on Verret Street in a 2019 Nissan Altima. At the same time, Akins was traveling east on a 2005 Honda motorcycle on La. 70 and approaching the intersection.

For reasons still under investigation, Aucoin failed to yield to the approaching motorcycle from a stop sign and pulled into its path, causing the vehicles to collide, Troop C said.

Akins, who was wearing a Department of Transportation-approved helmet, was ejected from her motorcycle and suffered serious injuries. She was transported to a Baton Rouge-area hospital, where she later died. Aucoin was properly restrained and suffered no injuries.

Aucoin was determined not to be impaired and voluntarily submitted to a breath test which showed no alcohol detected. A standard toxicology sample was collected from Akins and submitted for analysis.

Aucoin was cited for failure to yield from a stop sign and driving with a suspended license. This crash remains under investigation.

May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month. Always remember to be vigilant and look twice for motorcycles before making any maneuver, such as changing lanes, turning, or entering an intersection, Troop C said. Motorcycles are smaller and can be easily overlooked, so take an extra moment to scan your surroundings. A moment of caution can save a life and help create a safer environment for everyone on the road

Troop C has investigated nine fatal crashes resulting in 11 fatalities in 2023.