Head-on crash claims the life of Loreauville’s mayor, leaves 2 hospitalized

A two vehicle head-on crash on La. 86 near Lake Teche Road has claimed the life of Albert Broussard, Loreauville’s mayor, and left two others injured in local hospitals, Louisiana State Police report in a news release.
Just after 6:40 p.m. Friday, 34-year-old Forrest Simon of New Iberia, was driving a 2006 Dodge Ram east on La. 86, police stated.  A 2013 Ford Mustang, driven by 62-year-old Phyllis Savoy of Loreauville, was traveling west on La. 86, police stated.
While both vehicles approached each other in a curve, Simon’s vehicle crossed the centerline and struck Savoy’s vehicle head-on, police stated.  During the investigation it was determined a juvenile in Simon’s vehicle grabbed the steering wheel and jerked it, causing the vehicle to cross the centerline into the westbound lane, police stated.
Simon was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash and sustained moderate injuries, police stated. He was transported to a local hospital and treated for his injuries.  Simon’s passengers were also not wearing seat belts. Catherine Derouen, 26, of New Iberia and the juvenile both sustained minor injuries and were transported to local hospitals for treatment, police stated.
Savoy and her passenger, 65-year-old Albert Broussard of Loreauville were wearing seat belts at the time of the crash, police stated. Savoy sustained critical injuries and was transported to a local hospital for treatment, police stated.  Albert Broussard was pronounced dead at the scene by a representative from the Iberia Parish Coroner’s Office, police stated.
Impairment is not suspected to be a factor in this crash.  Routine toxicology samples were obtained and will be submitted to the State Police Crime Lab for analysis.
Forrest Simon and his passenger Catherine Derouen were cited for no seat belt, police stated.
The juvenile passenger was cited with obstruction to driver’s views or driving mechanism, police stated.