LIVINGSTON — The man accused of operating a boat while impaired and colliding with another vessel on the Tickfaw River over the summer has pleaded not guilty.
Jason Chaisson, 34, was in a Livingston Parish courtroom Tuesday where he pled not guilty to all charges. Chaisson was arrested by Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries agents in late August and charged with two counts of vehicular homicide, first-degree vehicular negligent injury, second-offense operating or driving a vessel while impaired, and careless operation of a vessel.
Chaisson was operating a 25-foot Sea Fox vessel that collided with a party pontoon barge. Thuy Gustin and the pontoon’s operator, Chase Sharkey, were both killed in the crash.
Chaisson is also facing five counts of negligent injury for the individuals injured in the crash. Among the injured were Hunter Caballero and his girlfriend, Jillian Bernard, who continues to undergo treatment and therapy for her injuries.
A benefit to help cover Bernard’s medical expenses is scheduled for Dec. 7 in Springfield.
The penalties for vehicular homicide include a fine of $2,000 to $15,000 and a prison sentence of five to 15 years for each offense, with at least three years served without the possibility of probation, parole, or suspension of sentence. First-degree vehicular negligent injury carries a fine of up to $2,000 and up to five years in prison per count.
A second-offense DWI conviction carries a fine of $500 to $1,000, a jail term of 30 days to six months, and a license suspension of up to four years. Careless operation of a vessel is punishable by a fine of up to $300 and up to 30 days in jail.
Chaisson has a prior DWI arrest from April 30, 2023, in which he was found to be nearly twice the legal blood alcohol limit. That arrest occurred on Hwy. 43 in Springfield, Livingston Parish, where Chaisson was accused of speeding and weaving out of his lane just before 1 a.m. He pleaded “not guilty” to those charges, and that case is still pending in the Livingston Parish court system.
Chaisson’s next court appearance for the Tickfaw River crash is scheduled for Feb. 3, 2025.
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