Early Morning Crash Claims Life Of William Leger

Louisiana State Police have reported on a crash that took the life of a Beaumont man.

It happened on Highway 93 near Gateau Road where 48-year-old William Leger of Beaumont was driving his 2012 Jeep southbound.  Police aren't sure why, but Leger traveled off the right side of the road on a curve.  They say he over-corrected and flipped the vehicle as a result.  Leger's Jeep came to a rest on the northbound side of Highway 93.

A short time after that, 52-year-old Clint Melancon of Carencro was driving his 1998 Ford northbound on the highway and hit Leger's vehicle.

Leger was pronounced dead at the scene, but police are not sure if he was killed by the initial crash or the collision with Melancon's vehicle.  State troopers are also continuing the investigation so they can conclude if Leger was wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash.

Melancon had been wearing his seatbelt and sustained minor injuries and was taken to a local hospital.  State Troopers were able to determine that Melancon's blood alcohol level was over the legal limit and have arrested him on a first time DWI offense.  He was booked into the Lafayette Parish Correctional Center.

William "Bill" Leger was originally from Kinder and had spent many years working in the radio and television industry in Acadiana before moving on to Beaumont, where he has been for the last couple of decades.  He is survived by  his wife, two daughters, his parents and other relatives.

Louisiana State Police continue to investigate the crash.