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On last week, 25-year-old Dean Putz Jr. of 128 Leonie St. Pierre Part, LA originally from Indiana, pled guilty as charged to the charges of Negligent Homicide, Reckless Operation, and No Seatbelt. This guilty plea comes following a 2021 Assumption Parish fatal crash which claimed the life of 21-year-old Kole Bahry of Plattenville. Assistant District Attorney Lana Chaney is the lead prosecutor on this case, and presiding over this matter is the Honorable Judge Alvin Turner Jr.

          On April 2, 2021, Louisiana State Police responded to the area of Belle River Rd. in reference to a single vehicle crash. Upon arrival, Troopers conducted an extensive crash investigation and determined that Putz was operating a 2004 Chevrolet Silverado pick-up truck while traveling on LA 1016-2 at an extremely high rate of speed in excess of 100 MPH. Putz failed to negotiate a curve causing the vehicle to veer off the roadway. The vehicle re-entered the roadway before traveling off the roadway a second time before striking a utility pole, overturning, and striking a second utility pole. Bahry was pronounced deceased on scene. Putz was transported to an area hospital with serious injuries. Putz underwent treatment and subsequently recovered from sustained injuries. Troopers were able to determine that Putz had a blood alcohol content of .07g% just shy of Louisiana’s legal limit of .08g%. Based on the high rate of speed and troopers determining the reckless manner in which the vehicle was traveling, a warrant of arrest was obtained for Putz who was subsequently arrested and booked into the Assumption Parish Jail.

         Upon entering a guilty plea to the above-mentioned charges, sentencing was deferred to a later date pending a Pre-Sentence Investigation. Putz faces up to 5 years in state prison.

Submitted by Public Information Officer Tyler Cavalier for 23^rd Judicial District Attorney Ricky L. Babin.