| id | cleanReleaseDate | troopName | title |
| 1676 | 2019-03-15 | Troop B | Impaired Driver Arrested for Fatal Crash in St. Bernard Parish |
| TROOP B NEWS RELEASE March 15, 2019 Impaired Driver Arrested for Fatal Crash in St. Bernard Parish St. Bernard Parish – Yesterday afternoon, shortly before 3:00 pm, Louisiana State Police Troop B investigated a fatal crash on LA 47 at Marina Road. The crash claimed the life of 34-year-old Kody Duhon of St. Bernard. Preliminary investigation revealed that Duhon was driving a 2005 Suzuki motorcycle north on LA 47. Several witnesses to the crash stated that Duhon was carelessly operating the motorcycle at a high rate of speed prior to the crash. A 2004 Jeep Liberty, driven by 30-year-old Eric Bales of Metairie, was traveling south on LA 47 and made a left turn onto Marina Road. The Jeep Liberty began to cross the northbound lanes of LA 47 and into the path of the motorcycle. Upon impact, Duhon was ejected and pronounced dead on the scene. Eric Bales was not injured in the crash, however there were four additional passengers in the Jeep Liberty who were transported to University Medical Center Level 1 Trauma Center. The front seat passenger (52-year-old Bonnie Mathis), left rear passenger (21-year-old Heaven Mathis), and center rear passenger (7-year-old juvenile) suffered minor injuries. The right rear passenger (28-year-old Bethany Bales) suffered critical injuries. Further investigation revealed that Eric Bales was impaired at the time of the crash. Blood was taken and a toxicology will be performed by the Louisiana State Police Crime Lab. Eric Bales was arrested for Vehicular Homicide, 1st Degree Vehicular Negligent Injuring, Vehicular Negligent Injury (3 counts), Possession of a Schedule I Controlled Dangerous Substance and Possession of a Schedule II Controlled Dangerous Substance. He was booked into the St. Bernard Parish Jail. Impairment is unknown on the part of Duhon and a toxicology will be performed during an autopsy. All occupants of the Jeep were wearing seat belts at the time of the crash. The crash remains under investigation. Whether impaired through alcohol, drugs, or a combination of the two, the consequences of driving while impaired remain the same. The task of reducing impaired drivers on our highways is a joint effort between law enforcement agencies and the public. By never allowing an impaired driver to get behind the wheel and reporting dangerous drivers to law enforcement, the public can play an important role in the reduction of crashes caused by impaired drivers. Making poor decisions in a vehicle such as driving impaired, driving while distracted, or not wearing a seat belt leads to serious injuries and deaths every day across the state. Making the responsible decision can mean the difference between life and death. If you witness a driver that is possibly impaired, please call Louisiana State Police at *LSP (*577). Contact Information: | |||
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