Report on Motorcycle Crash That Killed Two Young Boys

Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff Daniel Edwards reports today (April 28, 2020) the preliminary

investigation findings of a motorcycle crash that resulted in the death of two juveniles. A 12-year-old boy and 13-year-old boy were riding the same off-road motorcycle, which was not equipped with illumination divices, when the incident occurred last Tuesday night (April 21, 2020) around 9:00 pm.

The juveniles were riding a Honda motorcycle, traveling southbound on Dummyline Rd., when they were struck from behind by a 2015 Harley Davidson motorcycle operated by Amite resident, 43-year-old Gerald Leblanc. The driver of an 18-wheeler witnessed the tragic event and was first on the scene but was not directly involved in the crash.

Leblanc, who received minor injuries in the crash, was traveling southbound when he observed the 18-wheeler approaching and dimmed his headlight. When Leblanc dimmed his high beam headlight, he saw the off-road motorcycle in front of him; however, the proximity was close and he was unable to avoid striking the motorcyclist.

Leblanc was wearing DOT-approved headgear, the boys were not. Impairment does not appear to be a factor in the crash. The incident is still under investigation.