On Friday, Troopers with Troop C investigated two separate fatality crashes involving motorcycles within five hours. The first crash took the life of 43-year-old Jacob Dufrene of Houma and the second crash claimed the life of 55-year-old Scott Melancon of Houma.
Shortly before 4:00 pm, Troop C began investigating a two-vehicle fatality crash involving a motorcycle on LA 182 at Hollywood Road. The preliminary investigation revealed Dufrene was traveling east on LA 182 on a 2016 Kawasaki motorcycle at a high rate of speed. As he approached the intersection with Hollywood Road, Dufrene illegally passed several vehicles that were stopped for a red light at the intersection. Dufrene entered the intersection and struck a utility trailer being pulled by a pickup truck. Dufrene was wearing a helmet but suffered critical injuries and was transported to Terrebonne General Medical Center by Acadian Ambulance Service. He was pronounced deceased shortly after arrival. Speed and alcohol are suspected to be a factor.
The second crash occurred shortly before 8:30 pm on US Hwy 90 West just east of LA 24 in Gray, Louisiana. The preliminary investigation revealed 44-year-old Jean Chiasson of Houma was traveling west on US 90 in the right lane in a 2012 Chevrolet Cruze. Melancon was also traveling westbound on US 90 on a 2015 Yamaha motorcycle in the right lane ahead of Chiasson. For reasons under investigation, Chiasson struck Melancon from behind, causing him to be ejected from his motorcycle. Despite wearing a DOT approved helmet, Melancon suffered fatal injuries. Impairment is unknown on the part of Melancon and a toxicology report is pending.
Both of these crashes remain under investigation and no further information is available at this time.