Ville Platte contractor, wife die in automobile accident Saturday night

Ville Platte contractor, and bank board member Fred Phillips, 87, and his wife Bonnie, 84, died in an automobile accident on Saturday night.

Louisiana State Police Troop I, state troopers began investigating a two-vehicle fatal crash on La. 167 north of La. 103 in St. Landry Parish shortly before 8 p.m. Nov. 28, a news release stated.
The trooper’s initial investigation revealed that the crash occurred as Phillips, who was driving a 2010 Ford Fusion northbound on La. 167, began to pass another vehicle. At that same time, 26-year-old Elliot Leblanc of Breaux Bridge was driving a 2014 Ford F150 southbound on La. 167.

Leblanc was unable to avoid the crash and the vehicles collided head-on, the news release stated.

According to the report, Fred Phillips not restrained at the time of the crash and suffered fatal injuries as a result. His wife Bonnie was wearing a seat belt but also suffered fatal injuries.
A St. Landry Parish Coroner’s Office representative arrived on the scene and pronounced both dead.

Leblanc suffered moderate injuries and he was taken to a local hospital.

Funeral services for Fred and Bonnie Phillips will be held at noon Tuesday, Dec. 1 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Ville Platte. Burial will follow the service in the Gate of Heaven Mausoleum.
 Visitation is scheduled from 2 to 9 p.m. Monday, Nov. 30, with a rosary being recited at 7 p.m., and will resume at 8 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 1.