A crash Aug. 9 involving an ATV and a van killed a man from St. Martinville and injured two young children. The driver of the ATV was not wearing a helmet and his two juvenile passengers were not wearing a helmet when the crash occurred.
Troopers responded at 7:50 p.m. to Gold Dust Loop west of LA Hwy 1175. The crash involved a Honda 420 Rancher ATV driven by Jeremy B. Armand, w/m, 30, and a 2012 Mazda van driven by Hope H. Parrish, w/f, 28, of Bunkie. The Honda was eastbound on Gold Dust Loop when Armand crossed the centerline into the westbound lane. This action resulted in the ATV colliding head-on with the westbound Mazda.
Armand was ejected and pronounced dead at the scene. His two passengers, a 3-year-old male and an 8-year-old female, were also ejected. The male suffered moderate injuries and the female suffered severe injuries. Both were transported to Rapides Regional Trauma Center for treatment.
Parrish was not wearing a seat belt, but was not injured.
Routine toxicology tests are pending. The crash remains under investigation.
The public is reminded that it is dangerous and illegal to operate off-road vehicles (i.e. three-wheelers, four-wheelers, and other all-terrain vehicles) on any public roadway in this state.
Troop E Troopers have investigated 25 fatal crashes in 2017, resulting in 31 fatalities.