Tragic 2012 Gueydan Duck Festival: there was a death, hit-and-run, an alleged abduction and rape

GUEYDAN - The Gueydan Duck Festival is normally a family fun festival that helps promote the duck industry in south Louisiana. This year’s festival, although record setting, had a tragic twist to it.

There were the normal rains, which dampened the event Friday. But rain would seem minor by the time the festival ended on Sunday.

A native of Gueydan, Amy Breaux, would lose her life after being hit by a vehicle when she and her boyfriend were walking back to their car after the festival ended early Saturday morning. Breaux, 40, leaves behind two children. She was buried Friday in Gueydan.

Her boyfriend, Ruston Bourque, was walking beside her and he was also hit. Both of his legs were broken. This accident occurred last Saturday morning at one in the morning.

The State Police are searching for a small white car that may have hood damage. A witness, near the accident, reported to the Gueydan Journal it saw a small dark car leaving the scene

The same night, a 24 year old Iota woman was allegedly abducted and raped and thrown in a ditch. She went missing at 11:30 p.m. Friday and would not be found until early Saturday morning. The missing woman was later accounted for after she walked to a nearby residence seeking medical help less than a half a mile from the festival building. She was treated for abrasions and severe mosquito bites at a local hospital and released.

The State Police is overseeing the investigation of the accident on La. 14, while the Vermilion Parish Sheriff’s Office is handling the investigation of the alleged rape and abduction.

Major Darryl LeBlanc, who is in charge of investigation for the Vermilion Parish Sheriff’s Office, said the department has spoken to the alleged rape victim and is trying to piece her story together.

Does the speeding hit-and-run car and the alleged rape have any connection?

Major LeBlanc said he did not have an answer because he was not sure.

Gueydan Duck Festival President Ronnie Lougon and all the Duck Festival volunteers who put on the Duck Festival are saddened by what occurred during this festival. It is the first time someone has died at the Gueydan Festival.

“It’s tragic,” said Lougon about the death.

Lougon said the Duck Festival Committee is looking into creating a reward in hopes that someone come forward who may have seen the hit-and-run on La. 14.

The Duck Festival Committee is meeting Monday to figure out ways to improve the Duck Festival for next year based on what occurred each year. Because of the rain that occurred Friday night, parking became a major issue. The Gueydan Duck Festival purchased 10 acres of land next to the Duck Festival grounds. In the past, the land has been used for parking if it is dry. This year, parking in fields was impossible because of the recent rains.

The dream of the Duck Festival would be to one day limestone all 10 acres and use it for parking, to avoid parking on the streets. Lougon said the cost of $100,000 is the reason why the Duck Festival has not converted the field into a parking lot over the last six years. He did say the committee will begin looking at ways to improve parking, as a way to slow down parking along La. 14 or other Gueydan streets.