"Road Rage" Defendant Sentenced To Four Years At Hard Labor

     New Iberia, Louisiana:  Donald Broussard was previously convicted of negligent homicide in connection with the death of 24-year old Rakeem Blakes of Bossier City.  On July 8, 2016, following an alleged hit-and-run by Blakes at the intersection of Highway 90 and Ambassador Caffery in Lafayette Parish, Broussard engaged in "road rage" that ultimately resulted in Blakes' death.  Despite directions from 9-1-1 dispatchers to return to the scene of the accident, Broussard pursued Blakes' vehicle for almost eleven miles-going through ditches, riding on the shoulder and traveling at excessive speeds-until Blakes lost control of his vehicle and struck an 18-wheeler head-on at the Jefferson Island Hwy. exit in Iberia Parish.  Blakes died at the scene as a result of his injuries sustained in the crash.

     Broussard faced up to five years at hard labor and a fine of up to five thousand dollars as a result of his negligent homicide conviction.

     At the sentencing hearing before Judge Curtis Sigur, Broussard was sentenced to four years at hard labor for negligent homicide.  Additonally, Judge Sigur held Broussard in contempt of court for his repeated refusal to answer questions by the State.  The Court sentenced Broussard to an additional thirty days in the parish jail for contempt, to run concurrently with the negligent homicide sentence.

     Broussard was remanded into custody and an appeal bond was set at $100,000.