Louisiana Officials Make Arrest in Tragic ATV Crash Death

Louisiana State Police officials say an arrest has been made in a fatal crash where a man who was riding on the back of an ATV was killed when the driver slammed into a parked car.

According to Trooper First Class Jacob Pucheu with the Public Affairs Section of Louisiana State Police, the crash happened on Sunday, March 2, when 22-year-old Bret Flowers was riding on the back of an ATV operated by 28-year-old Tammy Flowers of Morgan City.

What Did The Preliminary Investigation Reveal About The Crash?

Pucheu says troopers were called out at around 6:00 that Sunday evening to investigate the crash. Tammy Flowers was driving the ATV, and Bret Flowers, also from Morgan City, was on the back. They were eastbound on Louisiana Highway 631 when Tammy Flowers started to pass a vehicle on the road in front of them. While doing so, she crossed the centerline and went off the roadway.

Flowers slammed the ATV into a Jeep parked on the other side of the roadway. No one was in the vehicle at the time. The investigation is ongoing, and Pucheu says troopers have not yet determined what caused the woman to do that.

What Happened Following The Crash?

Routine toxicology tests were taken following the crash, and when the analysis was completed, Pucheu said that the analysis indicated that Tammy Flowers was over the legal limit for operating the ATV.

Pucheu says that based on the analysis, troopers from Louisiana State Police Troop B got an arrest warrant for Tammy Flowers on the following charges:

• Vehicular Homicide
• Recklas Operation

A portion of the Louisiana Law concerning vehicular homicide, RS 14:32.1 reads as follows:

§32.1. Vehicular homicide

A. Vehicular homicide is the killing of a human being caused proximately or caused directly by an offender engaged in the operation of, or in actual physical control of, any motor vehicle, aircraft, watercraft, or other means of conveyance, whether or not the offender had the intent to cause death or great bodily harm, whenever any of the following conditions exists and such condition was a contributing factor to the killing:

            (1) The operator is impaired by alcoholic beverages as determined by chemical tests administered under the provisions of R.S. 32:662.

            (2) The operator's blood alcohol concentration is 0.08 percent or more by weight based upon grams of alcohol per one hundred cubic centimeters of blood.

The Louisiana Law concerning vehicular homicide, RS 14:99 reads as follows:

§99.  Reckless operation of a vehicle

A.  Reckless operation of a vehicle is the operation of any motor vehicle, aircraft, vessel, or other means of conveyance in a criminally negligent or reckless manner.

B.(1)  Whoever commits the crime of reckless operation of a vehicle shall be fined not more than two hundred dollars, or imprisoned for not more than ninety days, or both.

(2)  On a second or subsequent conviction the offender shall be fined not less than twenty-five nor more than five hundred dollars, or imprisoned for not less than ten days nor more than six months, or both.

Click here to read the entire law.

Flowers turned herself in to authorities at the troop and then was booked into the Nelson Coleman Correctional Center in St. Charles Parish on those charges.

Neither Bret Flowers nor Tammy Flowers was wearing a helmet during the crash. Bret Flowers had critical injuries, while Tammy Flowers suffered minor to moderate injuries. Both were hospitalized for treatment of their injuries, and Bret Flowers died three days later.

What Do Troopers Want Residents To Know About ATV Safety?

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