The man accused of hitting and killing two motorcycle riders during an illegal drag racing incident has bonded out of jail.
Joshua Stevens, 22, is facing a long list of charges stemming from the deadly crash that happened along Almonaster Avenue Sunday morning.
Monday we heard from concerned community members who said the area where it happened is a known drag racing location.
WDSU Reporter Shay O’Connor joined the show live from that area with more on the public safety concerns.
Shay was told Summer Gaudet, 30, and Jeffrey Watts, 39, were a couple. They were killed on impact amid the crash. Their friends Kelly Strange and Mario Barnado were reportedly on a bike right next to them. They were also hit and are trying to recover at area hospitals.
Ricky Dickerson, a resident and friend of one of the families, said, “He hit Jeffrey and Summer. Killed them instantly. Also hit Mario and Kelly. Mario lost his leg, and Kelly went unconscious. Her whole face is shattered.”
We are told all four were from the Houma area. People from the Terrebonne are devastated.
“They had left Houma and went to Almonaster Avenue. And were sitting in the middle where the medians are at.”
Witnesses said the couples were on their motorcycles watching drag racing along the stretch.
“I guess the 22-year-old lost control during the drag race.”
Joshua Stevens’ car struck both bikes, according to officials, and the couples were ejected. Witnesses said he was racing.
We are told Stevens was also driving under the influence of alcohol. He was arrested on two counts of vehicular homicide and other charges.
Public records show multiple calls were made to NOPD to in 2024, to report reckless driving along Almonaster Avenue. In April, a motorcyclist died on in one of those crashes.
Oliver Thomas, the councilman of the area, said, “The police department. They came out, shut it down. They started it up again. We have to be as diligent about enforcing the law as people are about breaking the law.”
Hours after this weekend’s fatal accident, people were seen preparing for another round of drag racing Sunday.
Councilman Thomas said he has noticed an uptick in illegal activities in his district since mid-May, around the time of the OJC prison break.
“I’m very upset right now. We have illegal parties. Illegal drag races. Something’s going on in the city where folks think they can break every rule. It’s unacceptable,” said Thomas.
Residents in the area said the drag racing is somewhat of a weekly occurrence at this point.
They are hoping it will end, As for the driver Joshua Stevens, he has since bonded out. His bond had been set at $150,000.
READ MORE:Residents near Almonaster Avenue call for end to drag racing after a couple loses their lives
