A man has been booked with manslaughter after an alleged road rage incident in Lafayette, police say.
Kirk Bourque, 55, of Butte LaRose, was booked with second-degree battery a few days after the April 12 incident. He posted $50,000 bond and was released, records show. This weekend, the other person involved, who has been in the hospital, died. Today, Bourque was booked with manslaughter. He posted $75,000 bond and was released, records show.
We've asked police for details, and they say the incident is still under investigation. However, they were able to interview wife of the man who died, who also was in the car, the night of the incident. Those statements about what happened are on tape, a spokeswoman says.
UPDATE: Police had initially told us that they obtained a statement from Samer Tobeh, the man who died. They now say they were only able to interview his wife, because although Tobeh was conscious when they arrived they were unsure of the extent of his injuries and sent him to the hospital. They interviewed his wife later.
Police initially said that Tobeh told officers he was arguing with Bourque in traffic and that he told Bourque to pull over so they could talk. They say that the two men were arguing on the Interstate and pulled over at the Louisiana Avenue exit. The two men then had a verbal argument, and Bourque allegedly hit Tobeh. Tobeh fell to the ground and was unconscious. Police say body cams show he was sitting up, with his eyes open, when officers arrived. He was then transported to the hospital without giving a statement.
The man who hit Tobeh, identified as Bourque, allegedly left the scene before police arrived.
The man involved was later identified by police as Bourque. A warrant was issued for his arrest, and he was booked on April 19, police say.
On May 2, Tobeh died from the injuries he sustained in the incident, police say. Another warrant was issued for Bourque, on the manslaughter charge. He turned himself in and was booked on that charge, police say.
Tobeh was buried today.
His obituary says he was "a long-time resident of Acadiana. He leaves a legacy of love and will be forever remembered for his innocent and peaceful spirit, as well his family’s giving and generosity throughout the community of Lafayette. Samer is survived by his beloved wife and three children. The youngest of five brothers and three sisters, he is also survived by those siblings as well as numerous dear nieces, nephews and friends. He will be buried adjacent to his parents."
This is a developing story, and we will have more information as it becomes available.
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