IBERIA PARISH, La. — The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) is investigating a fatal boating incident that occurred in the Delcambre Canal.
According to LDWF, enforcement agents were conducting routine patrols around 2 p.m. on June 13 when they discovered a vessel that had collided with a tree along the west bank of the canal.
Agents responded to the scene and found 69-year-old Willis J. Fontenot Jr. of Youngsville unresponsive on the rear deck of the boat.
LDWF agents immediately began life-saving efforts and transported Fontenot to a nearby boat launch. Despite those efforts, he was pronounced dead at the scene by the coroner.
Fontenot’s body was released to the Iberia Parish Coroner’s Office, which will determine the official cause of death.
The LDWF Enforcement Division remains the lead agency investigating the incident. Authorities say it is still unknown what caused the vessel to leave the waterway and strike the tree.
The investigation is ongoing.
