Driver in Morgan City crash faces vehicular homicide charge

A Morgan City man faces a vehicular homicide charge after a Tuesday crash on La. 182 resulted in the death of his passenger, Morgan City Police Chief James F. Blair said.

Juan L. Tapia-Gutierrez, 40, Rayne Court, Morgan City, was arrested at 12:33 a.m. Wednesday on charges of reckless operation of a motor vehicle, driving while intoxicated (first offense) and vehicular homicide.

About 7:49 p.m. Tuesday, the Morgan City Police Department received a call about a vehicle crash on La. 182 near Aycock.

The initial investigation revealed a 2004 Dodge Ram dual-wheel pickup truck, driven by Tapia-Gutierrez, left the roadway, striking a utility pole and several parked vehicles in a parking lot on private property, the Police Department said.

Tapia-Gutierrez and the passenger were transported to an area hospital for medical treatment by Acadian Ambulance. The passenger later succumbed to his injures. The passenger's identification is currently being withheld until notification to the next of kin.

Investigators suspected driver impairment and obtained a blood sample for toxicology from the Tapia-Gutierrez.

Tapia-Gutierrez was later released from the hospital and placed under arrest by the Morgan City Police Department and was transported to the Morgan City Police Department for booking.