Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced the arrest of two Thibodaux men for DWI on Sunday, July 2. Larry Fontenot Jr. (age 55) was charged with second offense, while John Roath (age 65) was charged with his fourth.
At around 8:45 p.m. on Sunday, deputies responded to a single vehicle on crash on Erika Drive in Thibodaux. Through investigation, deputies learned the driver, Larry Fontenot Jr., had crashed his truck into a ditch. Upon making contact with Fontenot, deputies detected the odor of an alcoholic beverage on his breath, and Fontenot admitted to having consumed alcohol prior to driving. Fontenot performed poorly on a field sobriety test, and a breathalyzer test showed him to have a blood alcohol content of .175g%. He was placed under arrest for DWI (2nd Offense).
While conducting the investigation, another truck pulled up to the scene. Deputies made contact with the driver and identified him as John Roath. He also had a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage on his breath, and deputies learned he had arrived to assist Fontenot in pulling his truck out of the ditch. Roath was unable to complete a field sobriety test, but a breathalyzer test showed him to have a blood alcohol content of .113g%. Roath’s criminal history showed three prior DWI convictions. Additionally, deputies found his license was currently suspended, and he did not have a valid registration for his vehicle.
Both Fontenot and Roath were transported to the Lafourche Parish Detention Center in Thibodaux. Fontenot was booked with DWI (2nd Offense), and his bond is set at $1,000. Roath was booked with DWI (4th Offense), driving under suspension, and no vehicle registration. His bond is set at $50,600. If convicted, Roath would face up to 30 years in prison with a 10-year minimum sentence, including two years without the benefit of parole, probation or suspension of sentence.
