Houma – On January 6, 2022, shortly before 7:00 pm, Louisiana State Police Troop C was notified of a fatal crash involving a bicyclist on Louisiana Highway 24 just south of Prospect Boulevard near the city limits of Houma. The crash claimed the life of 56-year-old Donald Gordon of Houma.
The preliminary investigation revealed Gordon was riding a motorized bicycle north on the shoulder of LA Hwy 24 while a 2007 Chevrolet Silverado was traveling south on LA Hwy 24. The driver of the Chevrolet was attempting to make a left turn into a driveway and came to a stop in the northbound lane of LA Hwy 24 to avoid striking Gordon. For reasons still under investigation, Gordon steered left into the northbound lane from the shoulder of LA Hwy 24 and struck the Chevrolet. The collision caused Gordon to be ejected from the bicycle.
Gordon was not wearing a safety helmet at the time of the crash, suffered fatal injuries, and was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the Chevrolet was properly restrained and suffered no injuries.
A toxicology sample was collected from Gordon and will be submitted for analysis. The driver of the Chevrolet was not suspected of being impaired and provided a voluntary breath sample that showed no alcohol detected. This crash remains under investigation.
Louisiana state law requires operators of motorized bicycles to be at least 15-years-old, have a valid driver’s license, and wear a safety helmet while riding. Motorized bicycles are also required to have a headlamp and tail lamp and are prohibited from traveling on sidewalks or interstate highways.
Troop C has investigated 1 fatal crash resulting in 1 death in 2022.