ABBEVILLE (AP) — A Vermilion Parish grand jury has charged a Maurice police officer with negligent homicide in a fatal crash last year that left an 83-year-old Abbeville man dead.

Assistant District Attorney Stanton Hardee told The Advocate the panel indicted Officer Willis Thomas on Tuesday.

Thomas was responding to a call Oct. 11 with his emergency lights and siren activated when a car driven by Paul Suire pulled from a side street onto U.S. Highway 167 and was hit on the driver’s door by the patrol car.

Suire was pronounced dead by the Vermilion Parish coroner. His wife, 79-year-old Philomene Suire, sustained moderate injuries. Thomas had minor injuries.

(mgnonline.com)