Lafayette, LA — December 30, 2025, Christopher Fontenot was killed in a tow truck accident shortly after 9:30 a.m. on the Evangeline Thruway frontage road.
According to authorities, 53-year-old Christopher Fontenot was traveling on a southbound motorcycle on the NW Evangeline Thruway frontage road in the vicinity of Castille Avenue when the accident took place.
Officials indicate that a northbound tow truck with a vehicle in tow behind it attempted a left turn in order to enter a private lot. A collision subsequently occurred between the motorcycle and the vehicle behind towed behind the tow truck.
Fontenot reportedly sustained critical injuries as a result of the collision. He was transported to a local medical facility by EMS in order to receive necessary treatment. However, he was ultimately unable to overcome the severity of his injuries, having later been declared deceased.
Additional details pertaining to this incident are not available at this point in time. The investigation is currently ongoing.
Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman
When a left-turning tow truck causes a collision with an oncoming motorcycle, the core question becomes whether the turn was made with proper caution and visibility. The fact that the motorcycle collided not with the truck itself, but with the vehicle being towed behind it, may sound like a small detail—but legally, it matters. That trailer or vehicle in tow is considered an extension of the truck, and the responsibility to clear the path safely includes every inch of it.
Making a left turn across traffic requires absolute certainty that there’s enough time and space to do so without causing a hazard. That’s even more critical when towing something, since the turn takes longer and adds complexity. If the truck entered the southbound lane before it was safe to complete the turn, then the legal burden likely falls on the driver—and potentially the towing company—for failing to yield.
From an investigative standpoint, there are several unanswered questions that need resolution: Was the motorcycle visible at the time the tow truck started the turn? Were there obstructions or sun glare? How fast were both vehicles traveling? Were the towed vehicle’s lights or reflectors functional, and was it properly secured?
Beyond the individual driver, the company operating the tow truck has an obligation to make sure their operators are trained to handle turns like this, especially with a load in tow. That includes knowing when to yield, how to assess distance, and how to ensure the full length of their vehicle—including anything attached—is cleared before crossing into another lane.
Key Takeaways:
- Left-turn collisions often hinge on whether the turning driver properly judged the speed and distance of oncoming traffic.
- In this case, the motorcycle reportedly struck the towed vehicle, which is legally part of the truck’s turning footprint.
- Investigators will look at visibility, speed, and whether the turn was made safely given the time and space available.
- The towing company’s policies on training, visibility, and turn procedure may play a role in determining liability.
- Verifying these facts requires physical evidence, camera footage, and vehicle condition reports—especially from the towed car.
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