One brother dies after bus accident; second recovering

The Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Office has confirmed that Austin Jenkins, 21, has died from injuries sustained in a Saturday bus accident.

The release from the Sheriff’s Office didn’t say when Jenkins died, but Facebook posts offering condolences to his family in Berwick began appearing Monday night.

His brother, Denver Jenkins, 19, remains hospitalized. They had been listed in critical condition.

The accident happened sometime after midnight Friday in the area of Airline Highway near Interstate 10 on a bus returning to Thibodaux from Baton Rouge.

The original statement from the Sheriff’s Office said only that two people had fallen from the bus.

That led to posts on Facebook saying that actually, one brother fell from the bus and the other fell trying to grab him. The Sheriff’s Office asked anyone with information about the incident to call 225-621-8300.

Wednesday’s statement said the “preliminary investigation indicates there is no sign of foul play and appears to be a tragic accident,” said Sheriff Bobby Webre.

The parents of the two brothers are Nick and Chantel Jenkins of Berwick.

A post on Chantel Jenkins’ Facebook page says that through organ donation, Austin Jenkins saved six lives.

Shontel Chauvin Seneca of Berwick started a GoFundMe page, saying it was to help the family with expenses. As of Wednesday, it had exceeded $15,000 goal by more than $1,000.

Denver Jenkins’ former baseball coach at Berwick High, Brandon Bravata, now of St. Amant High, posted a prayerful message on Facebook.

“Please pray for their family and friends!!” Bravata said. “Praying for comfort and healing for all, especially the rest of my former players that were on the party bus and those close to each of the Jenkins!”