Evangeline Parish man among 2 killed in crashes

Louisiana State Police Troop I troopers investigated two separated fatal crashes that claimed the life of two individuals on Saturday.
The Troop I news release follows.
The first fatal crash occurred on La. 104 near LA 103 in Evangeline Parish and the second took place on La. 182 north of U.S. 90 in St. Mary Parish.
At about 4:50 p.m., 19-year-old Demetrius Bergeron, of Ville Platte, was driving a 2002 Chevrolet truck westbound on La 104. For reasons still under investigation, Bergeron’s vehicle traveled off the right side of the roadway. After exiting the roadway, Bergeron overcorrected and his vehicle began to rotate counterclockwise and overturn. Bergeron was not wearing a seat belt and was ejected from the vehicle. Bergeron suffered critical injuries and was transported to Opelousas General by Acadian Ambulance. Bergeron later died at the hospital as a result of those injuries. Two passengers, both of Ville Plate, 19-year-old Vontrell Arvie and 24-year-old Hillary Ardoin, were not wearing seat belts and suffered minor injuries.
Troopers suspect impairment to have been a factor in this crash. Toxicology samples were taken from Bergeron and sent to the Louisiana State Police Crime Lab for analysis.
The second fatal crash occurred shortly before 11:45 p.m. on La. 182 north of U.S. 90 in St. Mary Parish. Jimmy Barras, a 52-year-old male from Patterson was driving a 2003 Toyota Matrix westbound on La. 182. Barras’ vehicle traveled off the right side of the roadway and partially onto the grass shoulder. Barras’ vehicle began to rotate clockwise and struck a tree. Barras was wearing a seat belt, but suffered fatal injuries. The St. Mary Parish Coroner’s Office arrived on scene and pronounced Barras dead
As part of the on-going crash investigation, the St. Mary Parish Coroner’s Office obtained blood samples from Barras. The results will be sent to the Louisiana State Police Troop I.
Both crashes remain under investigation.