Arrest after fatal boating accident in Tickfaw

BATON ROUGE, La. (WAFB) – Law enforcement officers with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) arrested the operator of a boat today, August 22, for his involvement in a fatal boating accident in Livingston Parish.

Jason Chiasson Jr., 34, of Holden is charged with two counts of involuntary manslaughter, five counts of first-degree negligent assault, repeated counts of operating a watercraft while under the influence of alcohol (DWI) and negligent operation of a watercraft, LDWF confirmed.

On Sunday, July 28, Chiasson Jr., the operator of a 25-foot Sea Fox vessel, collided with a 25-foot pontoon boat on the Tickfaw River around midnight.

RELATED: Two dead after nighttime boating accident on the Tickfaw River; victim identified

After further investigation, agents concluded that Chiasson Jr. was impaired at the time of the collision.

The collision killed a passenger on the Sea Fox, Thuy Gustin, 31, of Springfield, and the driver of the pontoon boat, Chase Sharkey, 36, of Greensburg. Two people on the Sea Fox and three people on the pontoon were taken to North Oaks Hospital with serious injuries and have since been released, agents said.

Involuntary manslaughter carries a fine of $2,000 to $15,000 and a prison sentence of five to 15 years per offense, of which at least three years must be served without the possibility of parole, release, or suspension of sentence. Involuntary manslaughter in the first degree carries a fine of up to $2,000 and a prison sentence of five years per offense.

A second violation of the DWI law can result in fines of between $500 and $1,000, 30 days to six months in jail, and a driver's license suspension of up to four years. Negligent operation of a vessel can result in fines of up to $300 and 30 days in jail.

Agents took Chiasson Jr. to the Livingston Parish Jail.

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