Collision between ATV and pickup kills Belle Rose man

PAINCOURTVILLE — A Belle Rose man was killed Wednesday in a collision between his four-wheeler and a pickup on La. 1 in Assumption Parish, State Police reported Thursday.

The collision, which happened between Paincourtville and Plattenville around 4 p.m., remains under investigation, but troopers reported they suspect alcohol was a factor in the Belle Rose man’s operation of the 2011 Honda all-terrain vehicle.

Michael Harris Sr., 52, was riding the four-wheeler north on the shoulder of La. 1’s southbound traffic lane,
south of Jolimar Street, immediately before the collision, troopers said in a news release.

A 2006 GMC Sierra driven by Keith Melerine, 59, of Houma, also headed north on La. 1, turned left onto Jolimar Street, troopers said.

When the four-wheeler hit the Sierra’s rear driver-side door, Harris was thrown forward, his head breaking through the door’s window glass, troopers said.

Harris, who was not wearing a helmet, was taken to Our Lady of the Lake Assumption Community Hospital in Napoleonville, where he died shortly after arrival, troopers said.

Toxicology tests were pending for Harris.

Melerine was cleared of any alcohol involvement, troopers said.