Pierre Part man pleads guilty in fatal crash

A Pierre Part man could serve up to five years in prison after pleading guilty in a 2021 fatal crash.

Dean Putz Jr., 25, Leonie Street, Pierre Part, enter guilty pleas last week in 23rd Judicial District Court last week to charges of negligent homicide, reckless operation and no seat belt.

The April 21, 2021, crash claimed the life of Kole Bahry, 21, Plattenville.

According to the 23rd Judicial District Attorney's Office, Louisiana State Police responded to the area of Belle River Road after the single-vehicle crash.

Troopers conducted an extensive crash investigation and determined that Putz was operating a 2004 Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck while traveling on La. 1016-2 in excess of 100 mph.

Putz failed to negotiate a curve, causing the vehicle to veer off the roadway. The vehicle re-entered the roadway before traveling off the roadway a second time before striking a utility pole, overturning and striking a second utility pole. Bahry was pronounced deceased on scene.

Putz was transported to an area hospital with serious injuries. Putz underwent treatment and subsequently recovered.

Troopers were able to determine that Putz had a blood alcohol content of .07g%, just shy of Louisiana’s legal limit of .08g%. Based on the high rate of speed and the reckless manner in which the vehicle was traveling, a warrant of arrest was obtained for Putz, who was subsequently arrested and booked into the Assumption Parish Jail.

Assistant District Attorney Lana Chaney is the lead prosecutor on this case, and presiding over this matter is Judge Alvin Turner Jr.

Sentencing was deferred pending a pre-sentence investigation.