Destrehan man arrested in fatal New Year’s crash

Authorities say he fell asleep at wheel, hit crash victim

A 36-year-old Destrehan man was arrested and charged with vehicular homicide after authorities say he ran into and killed a Raceland man that was standing near his crashed pick-up truck on the side of I-310.

Lucien Dupard, who is being charged with DWI and careless operation in addition to vehicular homicide, crashed into 32-year-old Howard Folse III at around 3:30 a.m. on Jan. 1 after falling asleep behind the wheel, according to state police.

The incident began when Folse was driving his 1995 Chevrolet S-10 north on I-310 and veered out of the lane, hitting a crash cushion on the right side of I-310 at US 61. Folse exited his vehicle after the wreck and was standing near his pick-up truck when he was struck by Dupard’s 2004 Chevrolet Impala, according to the accident report.

Authorities believe that alcohol was a factor in both Folse’s crash and the subsequent accident that resulted in his death. Toxicology results are pending the completion of an autopsy for Folse.

A blood sample was taken from Dupard, which is pending at the Louisiana State Police Crime Lab. Dupard is being held at the Nelson Coleman Correctional Center.