Johnathan Patin faces several charges in connection with a fatal wreck in Acadia Parish on May 16.
According to a news release from Louisiana State Police Troop I, Patin was charged on June 9 with two counts vehicular negligent homicide, two counts first-degree negligent injuring, reckless operation, no seat belt and no insurance.
Patin was booked into the Acadia Parish Jail.
Shortly after 6:30 a.m. on May 16, troopers from Louisiana State Police Troop I began investigating a single-vehicle fatality crash on La. 92 south of U.S 90. in Acadia Parish. The crash took the life of 32-year-old Kriss Stoute of Morse.
The initial investigation by State Police revealed that the crash occurred as Patin, 21, of Morse was operating a 2009 Ford F-250 southbound on La. 92. For unknown reasons, the Ford ran off of the right side of the roadway and began to rotate counterclockwise. The Ford traveled down into a ditch and struck a culvert with the right side of the vehicle.
Stoute, a front seat passenger, was not wearing a seat belt and was ejected from the vehicle. He sustained fatal injuries as a result of the crash and was pronounced deceased at the scene by a Acadia Parish Coroner’s Office representative. Patin was not wearing a seat belt and sustained moderate injuries. He was transported to a local hospital for treatment. Five other occupants inside of the vehicle were not restrained and received minor to moderate injuries. Only one passenger inside of the vehicle was properly restrained. All were transported to various local hospitals for treatment.
Impairment is believed to be a factor in this crash, and a toxicology sample was taken from Patin to be submitted to the Louisiana State Police Crime Lab for analysis. Excessive speed may have also been a factor in the crash.
Due to the fact there were several witnesses, the State Police Bureau of Investigations was contacted to assist in the investigation surrounding the circumstances of the crash. Accident reconstructionists from Troop I will also conduct a thorough crash investigation.
The crash remains an active investigation and charges on Patin are pending the completion of the investigation.
Louisiana State Troopers wish to remind motorists that all occupants of a motor vehicle must be restrained, regardless of seating position. While not all crashes are survivable, statistics show that the chances of surviving a crash rise significantly when properly restrained. Making good choices while in motor vehicles such as never driving while impaired and always ensuring every occupant is properly restrained can often mean the difference between life and death.
