Baldwin Man Sentenced on Vehicular Homicide Conviction

     Franklin, Louisiana:  Harold Melancon, Sr. (D.O.B. 12-04-1954), age 63, of Baldwin, Louisiana was sentenced to 24 years at hard labor by the Honorable Lewis Pitman for the death of Erin Demarco.  Melancon was found guilty by a jury of Vehicular Homicide on September 20, 2018.  During the sentencing hearing, Demarco's mother testified that Erin had seven children, ages eleven to one, who are left to grieve the death of their father.

     On August 5, 2017, Louisiana State Police investigated a fatal crash on LA 182 at its intersection with Katy Bridge Road, east of Baldwin in St. Mary Parish, near Candy's Bar.  Upon leaving Candy's Bar, Harold Melancon, Sr. failed to yield at the intersection colliding with a motorcycle operated by 29-year old Erin Demarco, of Franklin, La.  Melancon, Sr.'s blood alcohol concentration was .130 percent at the time of the crash.

     Melancon had been previously convicted of four prior Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated charges dating back to 1985.