Houma, Louisiana - On August 7, 2024, a Louisiana State Police Troop C unit was involved in a two-vehicle injury crash on LA Hwy 24 North (West Park Ave.) near the Patrick Bridge. The incident occurred shortly after 11:00 p.m. when a Trooper, traveling north in a fully marked Louisiana State Police unit, encountered a wrong-way driver.
Preliminary investigations revealed that 63-year-old Deak Matteson Jr. of Guin, Alabama, was driving a 2004 Ford F-150 south in the northbound lanes of LA Hwy 24 North. The Trooper, who was properly restrained, observed the violation and activated their emergency lights and sirens to stop the wrong-way driver. However, Matteson failed to stop, resulting in a head-on collision with the State Police unit.
Fortunately, the Trooper sustained only minor injuries and was later released from a nearby hospital after evaluation. Matteson, who was also properly restrained, was uninjured in the crash.
Upon investigation, Troopers determined Matteson to be impaired and placed him under arrest. A voluntary breath sample revealed a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) over the legal limit. Matteson was subsequently booked into the Terrebonne Parish Jail on charges of DWI 1st offense (LRS 14:98.1), vehicular negligent injuring (LRS 14:39.1), one-way roadways (LRS 32:78), and driver must be licensed (LRS 32:52).
An arrest is an indication that probable cause exists to believe the subject was involved in the offense alleged. All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty.