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.
Be the first to comment