UPDATED: Three killed in two local highways crashes

Three people died in two traffic crashes Sunday, one on the La. 182 bridge and two in the Stephensville area.

The fatal crash on the Long-Allen Bridge happened shortly after 2:30 p.m., according to Louisiana State Police Troop I.

The preliminary investigation revealed that an unidentified male was driving a 2013 Toyota Corolla west on La. 182. At the same time, a 2017 Ram pickup was traveling east on La.182.

For reasons still under investigation, the Corolla struck the pickup head-on in the eastbound lane on the raised portion of bridge.

The unidentified male was restrained but succumbed to his injuries at the scene. He was pronounced dead by the St. Mary Parish Coroner’s Office. Despite being unre-strained, the driver of the Ram reported no injuries.
Impairment is unknown but standard toxicology samples were obtained from both drivers and results are pending. This crash remains under investigation.

About 6:30 p.m. Sunday, troopers answered another call, this one to the area south of La. 70 in Stephensville.

Two people died in a crash. They were identified by state police as Shirley A. Chiasson, 83, and Jeffrey A. Holmes, 34, both of Morgan City.

The initial investigation revealed Chiasson was driving east on La. 70 when she pulled onto the improved shoulder, then attempted to perform a U-turn in the roadway, state police said. At the same time, Holmes was driving east on La. 70 on a 2019 Honda CRF motorcycle. The front of the motorcycle struck the left side of the Camry in the eastbound lane of travel.

Chiasson was unrestrained and suffered fatal injuries. Her front seat passenger was transported to a local hospital with moderate injuries. Holmes was wearing a DOT approved helmet but also suffered fatal injuries.
Both drivers were pronounced dead at the scene by the St. Martin Parish Coroner’s Office. A standard toxicology sample was obtained for analysis and this crash remains under investigation.