Baton Rouge man charged in bicyclist's death on Belleview

A Baton Rouge man was charged Saturday with vehicular homicide in the death Saturday on Belleview Road of bicycle rider Freddy Osborne, 56, of 48700 Jetson Avenue, Plaquemine, according to Plaquemine Police Capt. Steve Bezet.

Jason Plant, 27, of 10920 Airline Highway, also was charged with a first offense of driving while intoxicated and careless operation of a vehicle, Bezet said.

Osborne apparently was trying to cross the five-lane Belleview Road and was in the turn lane at the intersection of Belleview and Ory Street when he was hit at around 7 p.m. Saturday, the captain said.

“We are still trying to determine his actions,” Bezet said. “We are still interviewing witnesses.”

Plant, was traveling west on Belleview toward the Plaquemine City limits, was arrested during the course of the initial investigation, the officer said. He said Plant's blood alcohol level was recorded at .118, above the legal limit for DWI of .08.

As of Monday, Plant remained in the Iberville Parish Jail in lieu of a $90,000 bond set by Plaquemine City Judge Michael M. Distefano Sr., Bezet said.

The accident was the worst of three for bicycle riders in the Plaquemine area in less than a week.

Iberville Parish Councilman Henry J. “Bucket” Scott was charged with hit and run in connection with a bicycle rider who was hit Monday, April 11, on La. 1 South.

As Bezet was providing information for this story around 2:45 p.m. Monday, a radio call indicated a third bicyclist had been involved in an accident on La. 1.