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LAFAYETTE PARISH – At approximately 4:30 p.m. on May 30, 2019, Troopers from Louisiana State Police Troop I began investigating a two vehicle serious injury crash on LA Hwy 182 near Birdsong Road in Lafayette Parish. The crash ultimately took the life of 85-year-old Gurvais Matte of Lafayette.
The initial investigation by State Police revealed that the crash occurred as 38-year-old Ashley Berza of Lafayette was traveling northbound on LA 182 in a 2006 Nissan Altima. Berza was being pursued by a unit with the Lafayette City Marshal’s Office. At the same time, 80-year-old Doris Prudhomme of Lafayette was traveling southbound on LA 182 in a 2014 Ford Escape. Berza crossed the centerline, and as a result her Nissan struck the southbound Ford.
Matte, a front seat passenger in the Ford Escape, was unrestrained at the time of the crash. He was transported from the scene to Lafayette General Hospital with serious injuries, to which he ultimately succumbed to on June 3. Prudhomme was restrained and received moderate injuries. Berza was properly restrained and received minor injuries. Impairment is unknown at this time, but standard toxicology samples were obtained for analysis. This crash remains under investigation, and charges are pending for Berza.
Louisiana State Troopers wish to remind motorists that all occupants in a vehicle must be restrained, regardless of seating position. While not all crashes are survivable, statistics show that the chances of surviving a crash rise significantly when properly restrained. Making good choices while in motor vehicles such as never driving while impaired and always ensuring every occupant is properly restrained can often mean the difference between life and death.

October 4, 1944 - June 1, 2019

ERATH – A Mass of Christian Burial for Mrs. Margaret Landry Broussard, 74, will be held at 3 p.m. on Wednesday, June 5, 2019 at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church with Fr. Matthew Barzare officiating. Interment will follow at Our Lady of Lourdes Mausoleum.
Visitation will be at held David Funeral Home of Erath on Wednesday, June 5, 2019 from 9 a.m. until the time of the services with a recitation of the rosary at 11 a.m.
A native of Abbeville and a resident of Erath, Mrs. Broussard died at 3:55 p.m. on Saturday, June 1, 2019 at Eastridge Nursing Home. She was known for her cooking and sewing.
She is survived by a son, Nicholas J. Broussard of Erath; four daughters, Courtney B. Vidallier and her husband Brian of Youngsville, Erika B. Hargrave and her husband Jason of Erath, Allison B. Jester and her husband James of Lafayette, and Lindsay B. Abshire of Kaplan; six grandchildren, Jacob Vidallier, Adam Vidallier, Matthew Hargrave, Elise Hargrave, Audrey Hargrave, and Aaron Abshire; and a sister, Bertha Lormand.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Vernon Broussard; her parents, Victor and Roberta Perry Landry; a brother, Lester Landry; and a son in law, Jed Abshire
Serving as pallbearers will be Nicholas J. Broussard, Brian Vidallier, Jason Hargrave, Jacob Vidallier, James Jester, and Matthew Hargrave.
Serving as honorary pallbearers will be Adam Vidallier and Aaron Abshire.
You may sign the guest register book and express condolences online at www.davidfuneralhome.org
David Funeral Home of Erath at 209 E. Putnam St. (337)937-0405 will be handling the arrangements.

Abbeville High School is proud to announce the Roy R Theriot, Sr. Scholarship.
The Scholarship Is Open To All Juniors Who Would Like To Attend Boys And Girls State.
The Late Roy Theriot Sr. was the former Mayor of Abbeville. He served in that role from 1954 to 1960, when he was elected State Comptroller, an office he held until his death in 1973.
Theriot was married to the former Helen Roberts and together they had three children, Barbara Horaist, Roy Theriot Jr. and Sam Theriot. The Theriot children all attended and graduated from Abbeville High School, with Sam Attending Boys State. He also entered politics. Sam Theriot served as a member of the House of Representatives and the Clerk Of Court in Vermilion Parish.
Roy Theriot founded the Abbeville Dairy Festival, now known as the Louisiana Cattle Festival. After his death, Theriot’s Family continued his efforts.
Visitors from around the world came to Abbeville because of the love Roy had for the area and state. Roy Theriot loved to entertain people from all over, sharing his humor, Cajun culture, including food and music, but especially the French language.
Abbeville High will be raising funds for this effort by accepting donations in Roy Theriot’s name. Those funds will be awarded to those wishing to attend Boys And Girls State. Along With Principal Lyndelle Theriot And Principal Brett Darby, Donna G. Libersat, Godchildof Roy R. Theriot Sr., will be working hard to ensure that every student who wants to attend Boys and Girls State will have the opportunity.
The cost per student to attend is $400. Donations of any amount will be accepted, made payable to Abbeville High School, attention Roy Theriot Sr. Fund.
“The opportunity for these students is a chance in a lifetime,” Libersat said. “Please help us by supporting the efforts and the memory of Roy R Theriot Sr.”

The Daylily Festival and Garden Show has something for everyone.
The festival is set for this Saturday, June 1, from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Magdalen Square in downtown Abbeville. It is presented by Abbeville Main Street and the Vermilion Chamber of Commerce.
Nearly 40 vendors are expected to attend.
“If you are not a gardener but still like the outdoors you are sure to find something that will interest you.” said Charlene Beckett, co-organizer of the festival.
Along with visiting the various vendor booths you may be interested in the two educational speakers who will be presenting at the Abbeville Culture and Alliance Center located adjacent to the Square. The first speaker at 10:00 am will be Dan Devenport, an LSU AgCenter Associate County Agent, who will be talking about “Growing Peaches in Louisiana”. Dan has been helpful in making the festival such a success every year. The second speaker at 11 a.m. is Phillip Wallace an avid birder whose slide show presentation will be on “Louisiana Birds.” Phillip a
resident of Abbeville with his wife Pam, retired from New Orleans as a principal and teacher. He has been an active birder for 39 years.
Near the Gazebo there will be a children’s activity booth, a display of the latest Super Blooms, along with members of the Abbeville Garden Club available to answer your gardening questions.
Come to the Square and stay a while where there will be food and refreshments for purchase as you visit with the friendly vendors. A day guaranteed to be enjoyed by all. Sponsors for the event are Abbeville Garden Club, City of Abbeville and Gulf Coast Bank.
For more information please call Charlene Beckett, 337-652-2239.