News Editor
Monday, June 9, in the early evening hours, the Mamou Police Department received a call of an accident at the corner of Railroad and Main streets in Mamou.
Upon officers’ arrival, it was learned a juvenile male was standing in the roadway on Main Street in Mamou, when a motorist driving a van struck the juvenile in the hip area causing him to fall to the roadway. He suffered some abrasions; however, the juvenile did not sustain any serious injuries.
Again, on June 9, Mamou Police responded to a complaint from a caller stating it appeared a pedestrian at the intersection of East and South streets, in Mamou, was intoxicated, and further, the caller stated this individual may be in danger from passing motorists, due to the fact he was standing in the roadway. The caller also stated the pedestrian was hard to see because he was wearing dark-colored clothing.
Mamou Police dispatched officers to this area, and upon arrival, found the pedestrian in question lying on the ground, having been struck by a vehicle.
Dwight W. Fuselier, 48, having listed an address of 230 Rue Duson St., Mamou, was located on the scene, having sustained critical injuries. He was transported to Savoy Medical Center in Mamou, where he subsequently died from his injuries. The driver of the vehicle was not cited in the incident, and the matter was determined to be an unfortunate accident.
In response to these incidents, Police Chief Greg Dupuis issued this release:
“Due to the fact the Mamou Police Department has had to investigate two recent incidents involving the hitting of pedestrians by vehicles, one of which resulted in a fatality, the Mamou Police Department has no other choice at this time but to enforce an aggressive campaign against individuals walking in the roadway and obstructing public passage ways.
“For the last three years, we here at the Mamou Police Department have been warning, citing and arresting individuals obstructing the roads in Mamou. We have advised the public on numerous occasions this practice could prove ‘deadly.’ Our worst fears have become a reality.
“From this date forward, we have absolutely no choice but to enforce the ‘obstruction of public passage way’ law to the fullest extent. Individuals violating this law will be arrested and/or cited if caught walking in the roadway.
“If a ‘juvenile’ is caught violating this law, a citation will be issued to either the parent or legal guardian of the juvenile, for ‘improper supervision of a minor.’
“This will be aggressively enforced from this day forward to ensure the protection of pedestrians, and also, that of the motoring public within the Town of Mamou.
“As stated previously, we here at the Mamou Police Department are now instituting a ‘zero-tolerance policy regarding the walking in and obstructing of public streets. Hopefully, our efforts will deter such activities and again make our town streets safer.”
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