Bush man dies in crash, another charged

A two-vehicle collision on Louisiana Highway 40 in Bush Wednesday night left one man dead and another facing multiple related charges, including vehicular homicide, according to a release issued Thursday  by Trooper Nick Manale, Louisiana State Police Troop L.

Gregory Willet, 60, of Bush, was driving a 2005 Honda VTX motorcycle eastbound on the highway shortly before 8:40 p.m. Wednesday when a 1983 Ford pickup truck, driven by Ray S. Harris, 58, also of Bush, backed into the eastbound lane directly into his path, said Manale.

The motorcycle impacted the left rear of the pickup truck.

Harris, who was wearing his seatbelt and received no injuries in the crash, reportedly registered a .077 blood alcohol level and is suspected of drug use. A urine sample was submitted for analysis to the Louisiana State Police Crime Lab, said Manale.  

Harris was charged with third offense DWI, vehicular homicide and failure to yield from a private drive. He was booked into the St. Tammany Parish Jail.  

Willet, who was wearing a helmet at the time of the crash, was pronounced dead at the scene by the St. Tammany Parish Coroner’s Office.  Driver impairment is not suspected in his case, said Manale.