Bicyclist injured in U.S. 90 wreck; 1 of 4 occurring Thursday afternoon

A bicyclist was seriously injured Thursday afternoon when he was struck by a passing car on U.S. 90 in Berwick. Police say the accident spawned three more among motorists stuck in hours’ long traffic delays.
Michael LaBelle, 22, of Franklin Street in Morgan City was riding his bicycle westbound on the shoulder, and, for unknown reasons, he entered U.S. 90 and was struck by a 1996 Toyota Camry driven by Thomas Riggins, 59, of Delmar Road in Bayou Vista, according to Berwick Police Chief James Richard.
Riggins was not cited, and the accident remains under investigation, Richard said.
The 3:48 p.m. accident left LaBelle, who was ejected from the bicycle and landed in the median, with “extensive serious injuries,” Richard said. He was brought to Teche Regional Medical Center in Morgan City via Acadian Ambulance before being transferred to Interim LSU Hospital in New Orleans where he was listed in stable condition this morning, the chief said.
Traffic was snarled until about 6:30 p.m. While one lane was open through the wreck scene, traffic remained backed up on U.S. 90 as well as La. 182 where traffic was diverted to ease some of the congestion, the chief said.
During the intervening hours, three more accidents in Berwick occurred.
“There were four accidents Berwick (police) worked starting with the main one on U.S. 90 westbound past the light. Because of that first accident, traffic was diverted. I would surmise … It wasn’t a chain reaction but those came following that first wreck,” Richard said.
At 4:25 p.m., a volunteer firefighter leaving the accident scene struck a vehicle heading eastbound on U.S. 90. No injuries were reported in the accident described as “minor” by the chief. The firefighter, Jeremy Shilling, 19, of Morgan City, was issued a citation for careless operation with an accident, Richard said.
His vehicle struck a Nissan Maxima driven by Kionda Antoine, 31, of New Iberia.
Following that, a three-vehicle accident in the westbound lanes of the U.S. 90 bridge occurred at 5:15 p.m. Richard said the report on that accident was not complete.
At about 6:15 p.m., another minor accident on La. 182 between Country Club Express and Cameron occurred in the rain, Richard said.
Seth Menard of Morgan City, struck a vehicle driven by Chad Henry of Bayou Vista, from behind, Richard said.
No injuries were reported and one driver was cited for following too close, no insurance and expired license plate. The roadway was cleared immediately.
“I’ve witnessed so many wrecks while working wrecks. It’s just unreal. People slow down. While being cautious, they think they’re being careful, but on a four-lane highway there’s no reason to slow down on the side that doesn’t have a wreck. Go the correct speed and people will be safe … there’s no reason for you to slow down if you’re on the wrong side of the wreck,” Richard said.