The Leesville Police Department issued the following press release on June 26, 2024:
On May 22, 2024, at approximately 11:24 p.m., Officers with the Leesville Police Department responded to a traffic accident involving one vehicle and an individual on a scooter in the area of Highway 171 between University Parkway and Fertitta Boulevard.
The initial investigation at the scene revealed that 19-year-old Conner Saucier was traveling northbound in the left inside lane of Highway 171 near the intersection of University Parkway at which time he struck 21-year-old Roderick Thomas, Jr., who was reported to be in the lane of travel on his scooter. Officers observed on scene that Thomas was in a dark colored sweatshirt with no reflective gear at the time. A Standardized Field Sobriety Test (SFST) was administered to Saucier, which resulted in no signs of impairment. As a result of the injuries Thomas sustained from being struck, he was transported to a medical facility for treatment. At the time of the accident, there was no evidence of any criminal behavior on the behalf of Saucier; therefore, no arrest or citation was warranted on scene.
During the follow-up investigation into the incident, security video was requested from a local business, and a search warrant was obtained to retrieve data from Saucier’s vehicle. Additionally, follow-up interviews were conducted. Once the evidence related to the case was received and reviewed, it was concluded that Saucier had been travelling at approximately 63 mph in the left inside lane of travel on Highway 171 right before impact was made with Thomas. Thomas was also travelling northbound on his scooter and appeared to be in the left inside lane of travel on Highway 171 at the time that he was struck by Saucier’s vehicle. Thomas’s scooter did appear to have some type of white light illuminating from the front of his scooter, but no other light or reflectors were observed.
As a result of the information obtained through the investigation, an arrest warrant was obtained by Leesville Police Department for Conner Saucier for the charges of Reckless Operation and Negligent Injuring. Saucier was arrested by Leesville Police Department on June 26, 2024, and booked into the Vernon Parish Jail.
Chief Beth Westlake would like to thank the Louisiana State Police with their assistance in this investigation.
In an effort to reduce these types of tragic incidents, Chief Westlake would like to remind drivers to obey the set speed limits and for those on scooters or bicycles to wear reflective clothing at night and ensure that they follow all related traffic laws.