A Church Point man is in custody following a crash Friday night that killed a man from Eunice.
At 7:45 p.m., state troopers began investigating a two-vehicle crash on U.S. 190 at LA 752 in St. Landry Parish.
Troopers say 66-year-old Joseph Arabie was driving westbound on the highway when he was rear-ended by 52-year-old Troy St Ann. As a result, Arabie’s SUV veered off the road and rolled over before coming to rest on its roof in a ditch on the south side of Hwy. 190.
Despite the fact that he was properly restrained, Arabie died on scene, according to a state police spokesman. His adult front seat passenger and three juveniles seated in the back of the vehicle were wearing seat belts. The adult and one juvenile sustained moderate injuries and were transported to a local hospital for treatment.
At this time, investigators don’t know if St Ann was wearing a seat belt during the crash; however, he was not injured, the spokesman says.
According to troopers, they believe St Ann was impaired at the time of the crash. He allegedly refused to submit a breath sample, and a warrant was obtained. A toxicology sample was taken from St Ann, along with a sample from Arabie, to be submitted to the Louisiana State Police Crime Lab for further analysis.
Troopers arrested St Ann and booked him into the St. Landry Parish Jail for vehicular homicide, vehicular negligent injuring, and unlawful refusal to submit to chemical test.
The crash remains under investigation. Bond for St. Ann has been set at $100,000.
The following is a message from Louisiana State Police Troop I:
Time and time again, troopers witness preventable motor vehicle crashes. Louisiana State Police urge motorists to have a plan in place before consuming alcohol as it can impair visual ability, diminish fine motor skills, and decrease reaction times. Please choose never to drive impaired or ride with an impaired driver, and always buckle up. Simply making safe decisions while in motor vehicles can often prevent serious injury crashes such as this one.
