Assumption Parish, Louisiana - Louisiana State Police Troop C started looking into a vehicle crash involving one vehicle on the early morning of March 2, 2024, at the junction of Louisiana Highway 398 and Louisiana Highway 1. Following the crash, Gilbert Bunch Jr., a 64-year-old black male who is 5'6" tall and was last seen wearing dark clothing, from White Castle, has yet to be found.

Initial findings showed that Bunch was traveling in an eastward direction on LA Hwy 398 in a 2000 Mercury Grand Marquis. He failed to stop at a stop sign at the intersection with LA Hwy 1. The vehicle then crossed LA Hwy 1, veered off the road, and ended up partially submerged in Bayou Lafourche.

The passenger who was in the Mercury was able to get out of the car and swim to the shore. Bunch was last spotted in the water near the car before it sank completely. After the vehicle was retrieved from the water, Bunch could not be located.

Troopers, along with various agencies including the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, Assumption Parish Sheriff's Office, Lafourche Parish Sheriff's Office, Lafourche Parish Volunteer Fire Department District 1, and volunteers with specialized equipment, have been searching Bayou Lafourche since the crash. Despite their efforts, Bunch was not yet found at the time this was published.

Troopers are requesting that anyone with information about the crash contact Troop C at (985) 857-3680.