Carencro Man Remembered Across Acadiana After Fatal Crash as State Police Investigate Two Vehicle Wreck Near Highway 343

CARENCRO, LA — A well-known figure in Acadiana’s zydeco community is being remembered after a fatal crash claimed his life Tuesday night in St. Landry Parish. Louisiana State Police said 54-year-old Dolan Broussard of Carencro died after a two-vehicle wreck on Louisiana Highway 98 near Louisiana Highway 343.

Friends and followers were sharing tributes online soon after the news spread, with posts and videos celebrating the dance moves that made Broussard a recognizable presence in the local scene. State police said the crash happened shortly after 7 p.m. and remains under investigation.

State police say the Ford hit the Dodge from behind before both vehicles left the road

According to a preliminary investigation, Broussard was driving a 1998 Ford F-150 eastbound on Highway 98 behind a 1997 Dodge Ram. Troopers said the Ford struck the rear of the Dodge, setting off a chain of events that pushed both vehicles off the roadway.

After the impact, the Ford crossed the centerline and left the road. The Dodge also went off the highway and hit a ditch. The wreck happened in the evening on a stretch of road that connects communities in the Carencro area and beyond, though police have not said whether traffic, speed or any other factor contributed.

Broussard was not wearing a seat belt and died at the scene

State police said Broussard was not wearing a seat belt when the crash occurred. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Authorities identified him as the driver of the Ford pickup.

The driver of the Dodge Ram was wearing a seat belt and reported minor injuries, according to state police. Troopers did not release further details about that driver or say whether hospital treatment was required. The crash adds to the long list of roadway deaths that investigators say could be prevented or lessened when seat belts are used consistently.

Tributes from the zydeco community highlight Broussard’s local reputation

Outside the crash investigation, the response across social media reflected how widely Broussard was known in Acadiana’s zydeco circles. Posts and videos shared after his death focused on his distinctive dancing and his presence at local gatherings tied to the music tradition.

One tribute said the community was heartbroken by the loss and called Broussard “truly one of a kind.” The messages painted a picture of someone whose personality and style were part of the cultural fabric of the region, not just someone known by name. For many in the zydeco community, his death felt personal as well as sudden.

Impairment is not suspected, but toxicology testing is still underway

Louisiana State Police said impairment is not suspected in the crash. Even so, troopers collected a routine toxicology sample and submitted it for analysis as part of the investigation.

That is standard in serious crashes, allowing investigators to rule out or confirm possible contributing factors. For now, police have not announced any charges or cited any specific cause of the wreck. The investigation remains active as troopers continue reviewing what led the Ford to strike the Dodge on Highway 98.

A familiar loss lands hard in a region where zydeco remains deeply personal

Zydeco has long been more than entertainment in southwest Louisiana. It is a social and cultural thread that ties together family gatherings, dance halls and weekend celebrations across Acadiana. When someone known for bringing energy to that scene dies unexpectedly, the loss tends to ripple well beyond one circle of friends.

Broussard’s death appears to have done exactly that, with online tributes showing how visible he was to people who follow the music and the dance culture around it. While state police continue the crash investigation, the community is left remembering him for the role he played in a tradition that remains central to local identity.