Two Youngsville Residents Dead In Two Separate Crashes

Wednesday was a deadly day on Acadiana's roadways as two people, both from Youngsville, died in separate crashes.

Louisiana State Police Troop I Spokesman Brooks David says the first crash happened around 3:30 yesterday afternoon on Interstate 49 near the Ville Platte area after 58-year-old Vincent Mancuso's van had a blow out on the on the right rear tire.

Mancuso tried to keep control of the van, but it started rotating counter-clockwise, went into the median, and overturned. Even though Mancuse had his seatbelt on, he died at the scene.

In the second case, 72-year-old Shirley Semond was driving on Highway 82 north of Abbeville, when for unknown reasons, she ran off the right side of the roadway and hit a tree.

Trooper David says Semond was not wearing a seat belt, and she was pronounced dead at the scene.

While impairment is not suspected in either crash, routine toxicology samples were taken to be sent to the Louisiana State Police Crime Lab for testing.

Troop I has investigated 43 fatal crashes, and there have been 46 deaths as a result of those crashes.