Impairment Suspected in 2-Vehicle Crash on LA 1 that Claimed the Life of Louisiana Motorcyclist

Louisiana – The Louisiana State Police reported on September 14, 2022, that on September 13, 2022, at about 4:00 p.m., LSP Troop E responded to a two-vehicle crash on Louisiana Highway 1 north of Marksville, Louisiana. Aaron Hebert, 65, of Church Point, Louisiana, was killed in the crash.

The initial inquiry found that Jeffery Gagnard, 22, of Marksville, was driving a 1997 Dodge Ram southbound on Louisiana Highway 1. Gagnard attempted to turn left into a private drive for reasons that are still being investigated. This action put the Dodge Ram directly in the path of a northbound 2014 Harley Davidson driven by Hebert, resulting in a crash.
Hebert suffered fatal injuries in the incident and was pronounced dead at the scene. Gagnard, who was not restrained, suffered minor injuries and was sent to a nearby hospital.

Impairment is thought to be a factor in this collision. A toxicological sample was collected and submitted for testing. This crash is still being investigated.

The Louisiana State Police want to remind everyone that if you feel differently, you drive differently. Alcohol, prescription drugs, and other drugs have a variety of effects on the body that impair driving abilities. These substances can impair visual capacity, distort one’s sense of time and space, degrade fine motor abilities required to operate a vehicle, and decrease reaction times. Drivers are recommended to plan ahead of time and designate a sober driver. Failure to do so can have fatal repercussions.

Troopers with Troop E have investigated 33 fatal crashes so far in 2022, resulting in 35 fatalities.