A Lake Charles truck driver pleaded guilty Monday to the negligent homicide of a bicyclist on River Road in Marrero, according to Jefferson Parish District Attorney Paul Connick Jr.
Philemon Lyons-Feemster, 29, was sentenced to three years probation for the death of Pedro Manzuela-Villa, 32, of Belle Chasse.
Manzuela-Villa was riding on the right shoulder of River Road on the morning of April 4, 2023, when he entered a sharp curve east of Robinson Avenue. Lyons-Feemster was driving behind him in a semi-trailer with a tanker trailer. He was talking on his phone when he tried to pass the cyclist, Connick said.
As the semi-trailer entered the curve, the right wheels of the trailer came off the road, hitting Manzuela-Villa and knocking him to the ground. He fell under the rear wheels and died at the scene of the accident.
Manzuela-Villa was wearing a helmet at the time and was training for a cycling competition, Connick said.
Louisiana State Police initially charged Lyons-Feemster with a traffic violation for attempting to pass too closely to the cyclist. However, after reviewing the evidence, prosecutors later charged Lyons-Feemster with involuntary manslaughter.
Judge Stephen Enright of the 24th District Court sentenced Lyons-Feemster to five years in prison, but suspended the sentence and ordered him to serve three years of probation.
