In a somber incident on the roads of St. Bernard Parish, tragedy struck when a GMC Yukon SUV collided with a bicycle carrying two juvenile riders, resulting in the death of a young teen and injuries to another. Louisiana State Police Troop B responded to the scene of the accident, which occurred near LA 39 on LA 300 (Bayou Road) around 10:20 p.m. on Friday.
The preliminary findings, as detailed in a report by the Louisiana State Police, indicate that Joshua Bordelon, age 13, of St. Bernard, together with another juvenile, was riding in the midst of the westbound lane when the SUV approached and fatally struck the bicycle. The report highlights that at the time of the collision, the area was not well-lit and both riders were clad in dark clothing. Furthermore, the bicycle was not equipped with any lights.
Unfortunately, Bordelon suffered serious injuries that led to his untimely demise after being transported to a local hospital. His companion, whose name has not been released, suffered moderate injuries and is currently undergoing treatment. According to the Louisiana State Police, neither the road safety conditions nor the riders' visibility practices appear to have been optimal during the time of the accident.
The driver of the GMC, whose identity has also not been disclosed, was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash but managed to escape unharmed. Authorities have to yet fully understand why the vehicle collided with the bicycle, but they have taken a routine toxicology sample from the driver as part of the ongoing investigation.
