HOUMA, La. (WVUE) – Two separate motorcycle crashes in Terrebonne Parish resulted in fatalities on Friday, according to Louisiana State Police Troop C.
The first incident occurred at approximately 4 p.m. on LA 182 at Hollywood Road in Houma, claiming the life of 43-year-old Jacob Dufrene of Houma.
Authorities said Dufrene was traveling east on a 2016 Kawasaki motorcycle at a high rate of speed when he illegally passed vehicles stopped for a red light. He collided with a 1994 Ford F-150 driven by 56-year-old Moses Massey, who had a green light and was making a left turn.
Dufrene was transported to Terrebonne General Medical Center by Acadian Ambulance Service after sustaining critical injuries and was pronounced dead shortly after arrival. Massey, who was wearing a seatbelt, reported no injuries. Speed and alcohol are suspected factors in Dufrene’s crash, while Massey’s breath sample showed no alcohol.
The second crash took place around 8:30 p.m. on US Hwy 90 West, just east of LA 24 in Gray. 55-year-old Scott Melancon of Houma was killed in this incident.
According to Troopers, 44-year-old Jean Chiasson of Houma was traveling west in a 2012 Chevrolet Cruze when she struck Melancon, who was on a 2015 Yamaha motorcycle in the right lane ahead of her.
Melancon was ejected from his motorcycle and, despite wearing a helmet, sustained fatal injuries. Chiasson was restrained and not injured; her breath sample showed no alcohol present. Impairment of Melancon is undetermined, and a toxicology report is pending.