Pecan Island man dies as a result of being run over on La. 82

Friday, shortly before 8:00 p.m., Louisiana State Police, Troop I responded to a crash on LA Highway 82 west of LA Highway 3147 in Vermilion Parish that claimed the life of a Pecan Island man and landed a driver in jail for 3rd Offense DWI. The preliminary investigation revealed that 49-year-old Gary Shipman of Cameron, was driving a 2005 Chevrolet Silverado westbound on LA 82. While traveling west, Shipman observed 88-year-old Donald Broussard of Pecan Island walking in the westbound lane of travel. Shipman swerved left in an attempt to avoid striking Broussard, but was unable to avoid the collision. As a result of the crash Broussard sustained fatal injuries.
The Vermilion Parish Coroner’s Office arrived on scene and pronounced Broussard dead. Shipman was properly restrained at the time of the crash and was not injured.
Toxicology samples were taken from Broussard and were submitted to the Louisiana State Police Crime Lab for analysis. Troopers suspected Shipman was impaired at the time of the crash. Troopers transported Shipman to a local facility and Shipman was given a chemical breath test. Shipman’s results indicated a blood/alcohol concentration of .085g%.
Troopers arrested Shipman and transported him to the Vermilion Parish Jail where he was booked on the following charges: DWI 3rd Offense, Tampering with an Ignition Interlock Device and Open Alcoholic Container.
This crash remains under investigation.
Troopers remind the motorist there is zero tolerance for operating a vehicle while impaired. Impairment at any level affects a person’s judgment, decision making skills, distance perception, vision, reaction, and numerous other motor skills.
Pedestrians should never walk in the travel lanes of a road, especially during dusk or night time hours, as it is dangerous. The shoulder is generally a safer location upon which to walk. A majority of pedestrian fatalities occur at night. Pedestrians should walk facing on-coming traffic, wear light color clothing or wear reflective materials, and carry a flashlight at night. Additional pedestrian safety can be found online at www.walkinginfo.org