Louisiana Man Dies in Single-Vehicle Crash on LA 103 After Driving Through a Stop Sign Into a Bayou

Louisiana – The Louisiana State Police reported on September 7, 2022, that at around 4:30 a.m., LSP Troop I was notified of a single-vehicle crash on Louisiana Highway 103 near the intersection of Church Road in St. Landry Parish. Philip Gilyard, 59, of Leonville, Louisiana, was killed in the crash.

The initial inquiry found Gilyard was driving a 1997 Ford F150 north on LA 103 when he failed to stop for a stop sign at the intersection of Church Road for unknown reasons. He proceeded beyond the crossroads and into Bayou Teche. He was able to call for aid after the crash using his cell phone. When rescuers arrived, they discovered his body in the water, away from his fully submerged vehicle.
Gilyard was restrained appropriately at the time of the accident. The St. Landry Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue Recovery Task Force assisted in recovering his body. The St. Landry Parish Coroner’s Office pronounced him deceased at the scene. A blood sample from Gilyard was sent in for testing.

While the reason for this crash is still being investigated, distracted driving remains a significant cause of accidents in Louisiana. More information on distracted driving can be found by following this link.

So fare in 2022, Troop I has investigated 34 fatal crashes that resulted in 40 deaths.