Two die in wrecks

BY JIM MUSTIAN
THE DAILY IBERIAN
Published/Last Modified on Monday, November 10, 2008 2:09 PM CST

A weekend rife with fatal wrecks in Acadiana did not spare Iberia Parish as two separate crashes claimed the life of two New Iberia residents and left three others injured.

The first crash occurred Saturday evening on U.S. 90 and involved only one vehicle. State Police said Wenceslaus Provost, 65, was traveling eastbound on U.S. 90 in a 2001 Ford F-350 when he lost control of the vehicle and veered off the roadway into a grass embankment.

Provost was not wearing a seat belt and was ejected from the vehicle after it began to roll, Louisiana State Police spokesman David Anderson said.

Provost was pronounced dead at the scene. Anderson said alcohol is not suspected in the crash at this time.

State Police listed Provost’s age as 66, while the Iberia Parish Coroner’s Office said he was 65.

The second fatal crash occurred Sunday evening and involved three vehicles near the 1200 block of Jane Street.

Alan Perret, 44, was traveling west on Jane Street in his Nissan pickup when his vehicle crossed over into oncoming traffic and collided head on with a 1991 Chevrolet Caprice station wagon, Capt. Wendell Raborn, public information officer for the Iberia Parish Sheriff’s Office, said.

The collision forced the Nissan back into the westbound lane where it also struck a 1992 Honda, Raborn said.

Iberia Parish Coroner Dr. James Falterman pronounced Perret dead on the scene.

Raborn said alcohol is suspected as being a factor in the crash as police found four empty beer cans in the Nissan.

The woman who was driving the station wagon was extricated from her vehicle and taken to Lafayette General Hospital with critical injuries. The Sheriff’s Office was unable to release her name and her condition was unknown as of press time.

A man and a juvenile passenger of the Honda were taken to Iberia Medical Center and treated for moderate injuries.

Both crashes are still under investigation.

The deadly weekend in Acadiana also included a fatal crash on Interstate 49 north of Opelousas and a one-vehicle accident outside of Kaplan. Anderson said State Police have investigated 60 fatal car crashes this year.

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Comments

a Friend wrote on Nov 24, 2008 1:22 PM:

" to Shar...Do you see him drink it on the lot or at all? Or you just being messy... Trying to hard other people with your words... "

shar wrote on Nov 23, 2008 10:27 AM:

" He was just one of those drunks that drove for years and years under the influence and never thought he would harm anyone........and one day he did, HIMSELF ! and possibly someone else. I would see him all the time at the food n fun on Jane st. @ 7 am buying 2 large cans of beer. So come on people, It is what it is ! "

Another Friend wrote on Nov 20, 2008 3:36 PM:

" AMEN... to a friend's comment...We are missing you alot already...Every time I pass on Jane St. I say a little prayer for you and your family and other family in the accident. I lived on that end I pass that many time a day. So Al and the families, Ya'ill never be forgotten. Ya'll will always have a place in my prayers and heart. "

A Friend wrote on Nov 19, 2008 1:10 PM:

" Al-Bee you were a good friend to many of us, and would have given the shirt off of your back to just help anyone, For the people who only saw you as a person with a beer can in his hand did not really know you inside and out. you and you alone made your own decisions, not your parents, brother, couisions and not your friends, you and you alone made that decision on Nov. 9, 2008, may you RIP Al-Bee we will never forget you!!!!! "

anonymous wrote on Nov 18, 2008 7:51 PM:

" It was never confirmed that Al was drunk when the accident occured. However, if he had been, it was a poor decision on his part but all of these hateful things that are being said about him are just unethical. Nobody deserves to have these cruel things said about them. Al never meant for this to happen. He was a good man and his soul deserves to rest in peace. Please pray for him and his family! --GOD BLESS AL-BEE!-- "

Austin wrote on Nov 14, 2008 1:50 PM:

" The Daily Iberian needs to remove this article and all of these comments. This is hurtful on all parties involved. Have a heart.. remove it! "

fellow employee wrote on Nov 13, 2008 10:49 PM:

" I'm sure that most of you that are sitting here passing judgement has gotten into a vehicle and drove intoxicated or rode with someone that was intoxicated. You have no right to judge and he is with his maker now and will be judged not only for what he has done wrong but for everything he has done right, for his family and his friends. I hope all of you get the same fair judgements when you finally meet yours. "

fellow employee wrote on Nov 13, 2008 10:47 PM:

" It's amazing how many people jump to the conclusion that he was drunk. I did NOT see any type of toxicology report printed in the paper. Did any of you? If you don't know for sure that he was drunk I would NOT get on a public forum and accuse a man that is no longer here to defend himself. No one but him knows what happened that day and it happens to people that dont drink and drive. R.I.P. BIG AL "

Carla wrote on Nov 13, 2008 9:14 PM:

" Al-bee will be missed and never forgotten. I pray for all the familes and please let's have respect for them at this very trying time. "

Terry wrote on Nov 13, 2008 7:50 PM:

" DI Reader I doubt very seriously you would have that attitude if one of the people in the other autos were a family member of yours.My Father was an innocent victim a month ago at the hands of someone driving under the influence and my Stepmom is still in the hospital.She is still fighting for her life and lost her husband at the same time. "

Jane wrote on Nov 13, 2008 7:47 PM:

" Would someone please let me know when these mean spirited people are going to begin teaching their class:
HOW TO BE THE PERFECT PERSON AND LIVE A PERFECT LIFE - 101
I had no idea that there were so many people in the world who are so perfect that they can actually point a finger so meanly at others. Hope all of your hate doesn't come back to bite you!!!! You all seem to know so much about what Al did and how he was and you did nothing either. How can you blame anyone but yourselves? "

Pam D. wrote on Nov 13, 2008 6:06 PM:

" No one is saying that what Al did is right. If he would have survived he would have deserved punishment.The fact is his family is receiving the worse punishment.From what I hear the victim in the other car knew Al & his lifestyle. Hopefully she can find peace & go on with her life. it will not be easy but it is possible. RIP Big Al. "

A friend of Al wrote on Nov 13, 2008 4:32 PM:

" Just leave his family and friend along to mourn and deal with the aftermath. What is done is done. We can undo it or change it. Let the man rest in peace, I sure he is looking down at us saying "I wish this wouldn't of happen and I'm very sorry."
The people who are close to Al know this because of his love for people and life...Like my mother always said "If you can't say something NICE don't say nothing at all."
RIP BIG AL>>> We miss you already. "

DI Reader wrote on Nov 13, 2008 3:55 PM:

" Shame on you people!!! What's done is done. Everything happens for a reason. Let this man rest in peace and let his family mourn without all of these ugly things being said about him! "

Suzie wrote on Nov 13, 2008 12:21 PM:

" "RIP Big Al"
Love by all who knew him.
You will be missed. "

ryan wrote on Nov 13, 2008 10:53 AM:

" Perret's family are "enablers."
It would have been for Al's good, as well as the driving public, if he had been arrested. uzyz1 "

So Sad wrote on Nov 13, 2008 10:37 AM:

" I'll bet if he had hit one of his own family members they'd feel differently !!!!! It was his HISTORY to drive that way........the only people deserving concern at this point are the people he injured !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! "

Terry wrote on Nov 13, 2008 7:00 AM:

" I dont think anybody is beating up his family here.My Father was a innocent victim in an accident and know how it feels.This should be a wake up call for thoses who abuse on a regular basis.Most have been there and done that at some point in their lives including me.Just remember each time you drive under the influence it may be your last or some innocent person in another cars last chance.The Holidays are here so please be careful everyone.His family and the other people in the accident are in my prayers. "

Ginger wrote on Nov 13, 2008 1:07 AM:

" Looks like Vesta and Les could definitely use a good stiff drink. People please, this man has lost his life, can you punish him any more--no! But let's go ahead and beat up the family now. No thanks, I'd rather keep them in my prayers and hope that they can get thru this tough journey. RIP Al, I'm so glad I had the opportunity to know you. Your family and friends will miss you! "

To Vesta wrote on Nov 12, 2008 9:58 PM:

" Can you honestly say you would have one of best friends arrested for DWI? Al didn't always tell everyone he was leaving for someone to drive him home. He was a big boy & left when he wanted to. We weren't babysitters. Can you say you've never driven when you shouldn't have. Do you sit at the local bars & offer to drive every drunk person home, I didn't think so. Let his family/friends mourn & remember the good. They are suffering enough! Also, fyi, you need to learn to spell! "

Wondering wrote on Nov 12, 2008 6:30 PM:

" Oh, so we have to follow him around 24 hours a day monitoring everything that he eats or drinks. Now I get it. The point is you cannot prevent a grown person from driving while he is drunk unless you are right there with him when he is attempting to get into his vehicle and drive! We expect our grown ups to make better decisions, because we do not have 24 hour babysitters to monitor their behavior. "

vesta wrote on Nov 12, 2008 2:11 PM:

" Call the cops tell them he is on the road driving and has been drinking.use your common sence "

Terry wrote on Nov 12, 2008 1:38 PM:

" My Father was killed a month ago by a person abusing pills not alcohol and beleive me it is very painful.I dont care how nice a person you are but if you continue to get behind a wheel of a vehicle knowing you are endangering other people is sad.I feel for his family I'm sure they are going thru alot of heartache right now,but think of the families of the innocent people he put in harms way. "

Mary wrote on Nov 12, 2008 1:28 PM:

" Al was a great person who would have done anything for anybody, I know personally. He will be greatly missed by many. Yes, he shouldn't have drove drunk! There is only so much his friends & family could do. He was a grown man who made his own decisions. My prayers go out to all the families. May you find peace. RIP Al-bee! We love you! "

Wondering wrote on Nov 12, 2008 12:01 PM:

" Exactly how does a person (a family member or friend) stop someone from driving when it is known that this person has a drinking problem? If the person who has a drinking problem is an adult, how would anybody be able to stop him or her from driving? "

concern person for the families wrote on Nov 12, 2008 10:55 AM:

" To Vesta, Let Big Al's family mourn in peace. It was his choice to drink and drive and we can't change it. "

Vesta wrote on Nov 11, 2008 1:44 PM:

" To.Kim Driving drunk is A crime. there A reson for that it kills.His family he knew he drove drunk lots of times why did they not call and have him picked up.How many peoplein your family have to hurt other people before it is over.
vesta "

UNKNOWN wrote on Nov 11, 2008 1:25 PM:

" DON'T DRINK AND DRIVE............ "

Tina wrote on Nov 11, 2008 11:51 AM:

" You know accidents happen. No one person is perfect. Big Al was a great guy. Thats ashame for people to talk about him like that. How would your family like to read ugly stuff about yall "

Kim wrote on Nov 11, 2008 11:17 AM:

" I can't argue the fact that he was driving while drinking. As a mother of three children, I am fearful that one day I am hit by a person under the influence. However, it's a tragedy. He was my cousin, my aunt's son, my grandmother's grandson. He was an uncle, a best friend, and a wonderful person with a huge heart. He had a disease. What he did can't be justified by any means. But his life ended in this tragedy. His family is mourning. Please, let them mourn in peace. "

The Giarratanos wrote on Nov 11, 2008 9:40 AM:

" To the people who didn't know Big Al was great person, friend to many people. . . So let have respect for the families. Our prayers are with all the families. We will miss you Big Al...We know Papa Frank and Momo meet you at the gates to heaven. . .RIP BIG AL "

To Les wrote on Nov 11, 2008 8:59 AM:

" Can you be any more heartless? A man has lost his life - it's a tragedy - Pray that you never lose a family member this way and come to a "forum" to read the heartless comments made by strangers. "

biggie wrote on Nov 11, 2008 7:39 AM:

" My prayers go out to both families in these accidents. "

Les wrote on Nov 10, 2008 8:13 PM:

" The only good thing that came out in this wreck is this drunk wont kill anyone now. It's sad that people insest on driving drunk. Get a sober person to drive please. "

luke thompson wrote on Nov 10, 2008 3:58 PM:

" big al was a good guy with a big heart. "

Ballpark Fan wrote on Nov 10, 2008 3:08 PM:

" RIP Big Al "

REBEL wrote on Nov 10, 2008 2:52 PM:

" It was sad what this man did to his life with alcohol, he was a good guy, but it is even worse what he did to these other people with his alcohol.
RIP Big Al. "

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Two die in wrecks

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