An electric scooter rider was tragically killed in a collision this past Sunday in Plaquemines Parish. Herby Louis-Jeune, a 25-year-old resident of Gretna, was riding in the right southbound lane of LA 23 near L Street shortly after midnight when he was struck by a 2015 Ford F-250. Despite immediate attention, Louis-Jeune suffered fatal injuries at the scene, according to the St. Charles Parish Sheriff's Office Facebook page.
The ongoing investigation has yet to unveil the factors contributing to the incident. However, the St. Charles Parish Sheriff's Office's statement noted that at the time of the crash, "Louis-Jeune was not wearing a helmet, had no lights, and was wearing dark clothing." The driver of the Ford was uninjured, and upon examination, showed no signs of impairment, having provided a voluntarily breath sample which revealed a result under the legal limit for alcohol.
Traffic rules for low-speed vehicles like electric scooters are clear but worth repeating, especially after recent tragic events. In Louisiana, electric scooters can’t be used on roads with speed limits over 35 mph. They must have safety features like lights and reflectors, and while helmets aren’t required for riders over 17, wearing one is strongly recommended for everyone, as per the St. Charles Parish Sheriff's Office.
These rules are meant to help prevent crashes, especially important to remember after a tragic loss. As Trooper First Class Jacob Pucheu of the Louisiana State Police said, “Follow all traffic laws” is more than just advice—it can save lives. Making sure scooters are easy to see and riders are protected is key, as stated by the St. Charles Parish Sheriff's Office. For more information about this case, you can contact Trooper Pucheu at (504) 471-2775 or email him at [email protected].
