ACADIA PARISH, LA (October 31, 2021) – Louisiana State Police is reporting that: On Saturday, October 30, 2021, shortly before 10:00 P.M., Louisiana State Police Troop I was notified of a two-vehicle crash on Louisiana Highway 367 near Louisiana Highway 1106 in Acadia Parish. The crash claimed the life of 49-year-old Stacy Lemoine Stevens of Eunice and 4-year-old George Ardoin of Mamou.
The initial investigation revealed Stevens was driving south on la 367 in a 2016 Nissan Maxima when he lost control of his vehicle and veered into the path of a northbound 2008 Toyota RAV4 SUV occupied by two adults and two juveniles. Upon doing so, the Maxima was struck by the RAV4.
Stevens was pronounced dead at the scene. Seatbelt usage on his part is unknown at this time due to the severity of damage.
In the RAV4, the two adult occupants were not restrained and were transported to a local hospital with serious injuries. The two juvenile passengers were also transported to area hospitals in serious condition. George Ardoin succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead at the hospital. Restraint use on the part of the juveniles is also unknown at this time.
Standard toxicology samples were obtained from both drivers and results are pending. This crash remains under investigation.
While not all crashes are survivable, statistics show that the chances of surviving a crash rise significantly when properly restrained. Proper use of age-appropriate child seats will also increase chances of survival. Making good choices while in motor vehicles such as always ensuring every occupant is properly restrained and not driving impaired or distracted can often mean the difference between life and death.
Troop I has investigated 46 fatal crashes resulting in 56 deaths in 2021.
