Louisiana: Jackie Gautreaux faces DWI homicide charges in death of passenger when Jeep got a pole in one

From KATC
PARKS- This morning, Troopers assigned to Louisiana State Police Troop I investigated a single vehicle fatal crash on LA Highway 347 near Hebert Lane which claimed the life of a St. Martinville man.
According to investigating Troopers, on August 18, 2012, shortly before 3:00 a.m., 26-year-old Jackie Gautreaux of St. Martinville, was driving a 1999 Jeep SUV north on LA 347. For reasons still under investigation, Gautreaux drove off the right side of the road where his vehicle traveled through a ditch, struck a utility pole then struck a culvert. Gautreaux, who was not wearing a seatbelt, was not injured in the crash.
One of the passengers in Gautreaux’s vehicle, 22-year-old Whitney Viator of St. Martinville, sustained severe injuries and was transported to a local hospital. Troopers indicated Viator was properly restrained. The second passenger in the vehicle, also of Martinville, was not wearing a seatbelt and was partially ejected from the vehicle. He was pronounced dead by the St. Martin Parish Coroner.
Troopers believe Gautreaux was under the influence of narcotics. Toxicology …..MORE