Tragic death of Nicholls student devastates community Katelyn Thibodeaux Issue date: 9/30/10 Section: News

Tragic death of Nicholls student devastates community

Katelyn Thibodeaux

Issue date: 9/30/10 Section: News

The Nicholls community, family, friends and the men of Kappa Alpha fraternity mourn the loss of a fallen brother.

Nathan Trepagnier, 19, was killed Saturday when he fell off of the Kappa Alpha hayride and was run over on Bowie Rd. during Homecoming festivities. Witnesses said they thought he was trying to re-position himself when he fell.

"It was really just a freak accident," Nathan's father, Wilfred Trepagnier Jr., said. "There's nobody to blame. It was just an unfortunate accident."

However, Nathan's family and friends are no longer talking about his death but his life.

Every friend of Nathan described him as an amazing person who lived an amazing life.

"He was quiet, but he was very strong internally, and that's what people liked about him," Wilfred said.

Most people referred to Nathan as "selfless," and this shows in a post on his Facebook wall from Hailey Garner.

"First off, I just wanted to say thank you for saving my life when I was younger and jumping in a pool with your clothes on and no floaties," Garner said. "I don't think I ever got the chance to really thank you for that, and I wish I had."

Nathan attended Holy Rosary High School in Metairie, La, which was established for his freshman year in 2005. He had previously attended Holy Rosary Academy for grade school.

Michael Binder, Holy Rosary principal, said Nathan was a vital part in establishing the high school.

"He created a Holy Rosary High School application himself and submitted it before we had a faculty, a campus or even an application form," Binder said. "He participated in much of the planning of HRHS, including student activities, spirit and the make-up of the school. He selected the senior ring that our students now wear and helped develop our school's crest. Nathan earned many distinctions during his high school years, including becoming the Valedictorian of his senior class."

At HRHS, Nathan started the student council and eventually became the president. Binder said he was an extraordinary minister of communion and the lead alter server.

"I admired him for how good of a person he was," Binder said. "He was able to help people who needed help, and he was able to lead when we needed a student leader. He made a huge impression on me and the rest of the school and community as well."

Nathan also had an impact on his teachers.

"Nathan always struck me as a man who lived life to the fullest with few, if any, regrets," Bernard De Santis III, one of Nathan's high school teachers, said. "Such a life prepares one for one's own death whenever it may come and leads to eternal life afterwards. My sorrow is much less for Nathan than for myself and the countless others who were not prepared for his passing."

Nathan even had an impact on those he met only in passing.

"Nathan was an incredible person for the few times I ever interacted with him and just an all around great guy," Veronica Wilkins, student at Holy Rosary, said. "They say things happen for a reason, but things like this, we wish wouldn't. What's happened is extremely tragic, but its gotten all of us to come to reality and know not to take advantage of anything and be grateful for what we have, because it could be gone in a matter of seconds."

The Nicholls community had the same reaction as much of his grade school and high school peers.

The day of Nathan's death, the Greek community at Nicholls put aside their war and came together unlike ever before for a prayer service in memory of Nathan.

"I never thought I would experience such shock in my life," Lacey Angeron, junior and this year's homecoming queen, said in a Facebook comment to Nathan after his passing. "We'll miss you around this place, buddy. I wish our love could bring you back. I'm so glad I got to know you. You wouldn't imagine the impact you had on the Greek community at Nicholls today. You'd be proud."

Nathan's fraternity brothers' comments could not be published due to National rules and limitations.

Nathan's Facebook wall was flooded with comments from students, friends, family and fraternity brothers with everything from personal notes written to Nathan, to those expressing how much of an impact he had in their life.

Wilfred, Nathan's father, left his son a comment while expressing his thankfulness to everyone who also left comments.

"Nathan-my love, my son. I will never forget you as long as I live. I know you're sitting at the right side of God. To all the people who wrote on this wall, just a thank you from my heart. Please keep Nathan in your prayers, and God bless each and every one of you," Wilfred said.

Priscilla Toups Pendzimaz, Nathan's grandmother and a 1985 Nicholls alumna, said that she, "in her deepest sorrow, is happy that Nathan was enjoying himself when God called him home. He will live forever in all of his family's hearts."

Pendzimaz, as well as Nathan's parents, an aunt and an uncle, were Nicholls alumni. Nathan was a legacy in Kappa Alpha Fraternity as well as the current Treasurer.

Visitation for Nathan is tonight from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.?at Leitz-Eagan Funeral Home, 4747 Veterans Memorial Blvd.,?Metairie.

Tomorrow's visitation will be from 9 a.m. to 11a.m.?with the funeral mass at 11:00 a.m. at Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Church,?3368 Esplanade Ave., New Orleans.

**This is a note written by Tori Read, a friend and former girlfriend of Nathan.**

Nathan,

I think we both know that we have to thank our friend, Christian Odum, for suggesting me to be your date to your junior prom. I am forever grateful to him for that. I also will never forget the day that you told me you loved me. That was the most terrifying but amazing moment in my life, because I knew that when you said those words to me, really deep down in your heart, you cared. I have never felt that connection with any other man but you, and I believe that says something. You loved me for who I really was. You didn't question anything; you just loved me for me as I loved you. You have made such an impact on our school (Holy Rosary). I hope you know that. Just today, the faculty and I were talking about how everything in the school that is what it is today is all because of you. You put your heart and soul into everything you did for our school, and it definitely shows. I have always admired that about you. Even though I am still coping with your death, I can rest a little easier now because I know that even though you are not here with all of those who love you on earth, you are now our guardian angel, always protecting, watching and loving each and every one of us. When my time comes, I will be waiting to meet you at God's heavenly gates where we can be reunited, where I will see that wonderful bright smile of yours that I miss so much. I'm always thinking about you and always praying for you and your family. I will be there for them. I know you know that, so you don't have to worry. I love you always and dearly, my knight in shining armor. You will forever hold a special place in my heart, my love. I am always listening for you.

Love,
Tori Read



We are devastated to be aware of yet another loss of life due to Parade Float Accidents.

Please...Please go to www.dangeroustrailers.org and take note....see specifically
http://dangeroustrailersparadefloat.blogspot.com/

Out of this tragedy...we can join forces and prevent this from happening to others!! That is what we have been trying to do for over 8 years!

If our Government Officials had taken our advice and had a Standard safety check list for all parades then this might not have happen.

Please see what a father in Maine tried to do over 8 years ago!!!
Would Float Railing Have Prevented N.H. Parade Tragedy?

http://dangeroustrailersparadefloat.blogspot.com/2008/02/would-float-railing-have-prevented-nh.html

Lets try and prevent "Others" from loosing their lives by the same thing!!!!!!! WE just need help!

Accident halts Oktoberfest Torchlight Parade

Accident halts Oktoberfest Torchlight Parade

Posted: Sep 30, 2010 10:16 PM EDT Thursday, September 30, 2010 10:16 PM EST Updated: Sep 30, 2010 10:40 PM EDT

LA CROSSE, Wis. -- An accident on La Crosse's north side drove the Oktoberfest Torchlight Parade to a complete stop.

La Crosse Police on the scene told NewsChannel 8 that a boy handing out candy on a float leaned too far forward and fell. The float ran over the bottom part of his body. According to witnesses, bystanders had to lift the float off the boy.

The accident occurred at the intersection of Gillette and Avon Street.

Paramedics on bikes were the first to arrive. An ambulance and other emergency crews maneuvered through the parade route to arrive on the scene.

The boy was taken to a hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

The parade was halted for a half-hour.

Torchlight goes on despite accident...boy Falls From Trailer

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Dark note to parade of lights

Torchlight goes on despite accident

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Dark note to parade of lights

Torchlight goes on despite accident

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Torchlight goes on despite accident By Käri Knutson | kknutson@lacrossetribune.com lacrossetribune.com | Posted: Friday, October 1, 2010 12:00 am |

The return of Oktoberfest's nighttime Torchlight Parade was marred Thursday evening when a young boy was run over by a float, delaying the event for 30 minutes. The boy fell from a trailer decorated for Habitat for Humanity about 7:55 p.m. and slipped under the wheels near Gillette and Avon streets, witnesses said.

A Tri-State Ambulance bike team staffing the parade route reached the boy within minutes. He quickly was taken to a local hospital, but his injuries were not considered serious or life-threatening, said Tom Tornstrom, Tri-State director of operations. The boy's name and age weren't released.

The accident, which happened about an hour into the parade, left some onlookers shaken.

Barb Alsobrooks and her 14-year-old daughter Desha saw the entire incident from a nearby curb.

"I was scared. I didn't know what actually happened," Desha said, though she was reassured when she saw Tri-State staff tending to the boy.

"He was crying for his mom," Barb Alsobrooks said. "She was right there."

It was an unfortunate somber note to what otherwise seemed a perfect night for the illuminated event, which had to be canceled in 2009 for the first time in 38 years due to heavy rain and lightning.

While some opted to head home early, a fair number of spectators waited out the delay.

Mark and Crystal Wuensch said parades have become a family favorite. The Torchlight was their sixth this year with Alanna, 8, and Xander, 1.

"I like when they throw out stuff," Alanna said.

Her loot has included lots of candy, a football, bookmarks, string cheese and her favorite - a YMCA T-shirt.

Xander loves the music.

"He really rocks out," Alanna said.

For Crystal, the parade is a tradition that began when she was a kid.

"I love the whole thing," Crystal said. "I think I miss half the parade watching my kids."

While Mary Freitag came to the first Torchlight Parade at age 11, she hadn't returned since.

"It just wasn't my thing," she said.

Now living only blocks away from the route, she decided to check it out again.

"Now I see why they say it's exciting," she said as Parade Marshals Bill and Karen Bush passed by in a lit carriage. "Maybe next year I'll bring my grandkids."

Parade accidents being investigated

Parade accidents being investigated

By ANDREA JOHNSON, Staff Writer ajohnson@minotdailynews.com

POSTED: July 25, 2010

One moment a 5-year-old boy was waving to the crowd lining the road from a float during the North Dakota State Fair parade Saturday. Then he tripped and fell while apparently trying to jump off the float and one of his legs was run over by the wheel of the trailer. The crowd gasped in horror as the boy wailed in pain and then said he couldn't move his leg. However, the child was alert and conscious when paramedics splinted his leg and loaded him onto a stretcher to take him to the hospital.

The accident, which occurred at about 11 a.m., was the second of the day. A short time earlier, on the Burdick Expressway viaduct, a 7-year-old girl was injured when she attempted to step off a float and fell to the pavement. Both tires of the dual-axle trailer carrying the float ran over the girl, police said. That accident also happened about 11 a.m. The girl was taken to Trinity Hospital where she was treated for her injuries.

The child injured on the fairgrounds was riding on the trailer with several other youngsters. Minot police said there have been similar accidents in past years, though they couldn't remember an exact number.

Both accidents are under investigation, the one on the viaduct by the Minot Police Department and the one on the fairgrounds by the Ward County Sheriff's Department. Neither child was identified by law enforcement Saturday.

St. Michael boy injured in Rogers parade float accident

by Mindy Mateuszczyk

Published: Tuesday, July 6, 2010 1:22 PM CDT

What started as a day of sunshine and celebration took a turn for the worse with a float accident injuring a St. Michael boy.

Hundreds of parade watchers lined Main Street and Memorial Drive in Rogers Saturday, June 26, for the annual Rockin' Rogers Days parade. Rogers Police Chief Jeff Luther barely completed the parade route from his spot near the front of the line when he, along with several other police and rescue workers, responded to a parade float accident.

Reportedly, a nine-year-old boy was sitting in front of the wheel well of a trailer on the Hampton Inn float. As the driver made the right turn from Main Street to Memorial Drive the boy's foot was caught under the wheel and he was pulled off the trailer.

Witness reports varied stating the trailer wheel rolled over the boy's legs, chest and head. However, police were unable to confirm or deny these reports. Dan and Kathy Wagner were sitting at the corner watching the parade and witnessed the incident. Dan Wagner said the whole thing happened so fast the boy didn't yell or make a sound but the crowd did once they saw what happened. He perceived that the driver stopped immediately upon hearing the crowd's reaction preventing further injury.

Within minutes, several police responded, transferred the boy to a spine-board and transported him to North Memorial Hospital. Minutes later Chief Luther escorted the boy's mother, who was also on the float, to the hospital.

While police commented the boy appeared in stable condition as he was transported, Luther issued a statement Wednesday, June 30, confirming the boy sustained some lacerations to his right ear and assorted abrasions to his hands and knees.

"Considering the potential devastating injuries that he could have sustained, the boy is both fortunate and resilient," said Luther. He went on to say the injuries might require further corrective or cosmetic surgery.

He called the incident a rare and unfortunate circumstance. However, the situation will be including in the debriefing of Rockin' Rogers Days to occur between the police department and the Rogers Lions.

"We had some weather events that required temporary evacuation to the Community Center, the parade incident and some other situations throughout the weekend," he said. "Our first priority is the safety and welfare of visitors to Rockin' Rogers, so it only makes good sense to review the event afterwards to try improving upon our ability to be prepared in future years."

Luther said incidents related to alcohol were significantly reduced compared to the previous year.

Child run over by float in Molalla parade

Story Published: Jul 4, 2010 at 1:30 PM PDT

Story Updated: Jul 4, 2010 at 3:22 PM PDT

MOLALLA, Ore. – A Life Flight helicopter was called in to a July 4 parade in Clackamas County, whisking away a boy run over Sunday by a parade float.

Molalla Fire Public Information Officer Denise Everhart said a 12-year-old boy was trying to catch candy thrown from a moving float in the Molalla Buckeroo Parade. She said the float was composed of a trailer with a dual wheel.

Everhart said the boy's foot first became caught in the wheel. Then, the float rolled over him.

The accident was reported to Clackamas County 9-1-1 dispatchers at 11:46 a.m.

The annual Fourth of July festivities, including the Molalla Buckaroo Parade, started Sunday at 9:30 a.m. This "Giant Street Parade" runs down Main Street in Molalla – a town of 7,800 residents about 30 miles southeast of Portland.

Everhart said the boy was conscious and alert after the accident. However, she said he "definitely" suffered a broken leg. She also said he was complaining of pain in his lower abdomen.

As a precaution, the boy was transported to Legacy Emanuel Hospital by Life Flight, Everhart told KATU. We have sent a photojournalist to the scene, and will follow with further details as they are available.

UPDATE: A spokesperson for Molalla Fire tells us this parade does have a policy of handing out candy from buckets, rather than throwing the candy from floats. He said the boy was working the float that ran over him – chauffeuring candy from the float to the crowd in a bucket.

Tot survives parade fall

By Gina Morton
The Daily Item

SELINSGROVE — A 20-month-old child fell from a moving float during the Selinsgrove Halloween parade Tuesday evening and was run over by the back wheels of the trailer.

The Beavertown boy was in the company of his mother and riding on a trailer towed by a vehicle when he fell off the right side, onto the road and into the path of the trailer’s wheels. The trailer was representing Graysonview Assisted Living Center in Penn Township.

Police said the trailer rolled over the child before his mother and other occupants could react. The driver was not initially aware of the child until alerted by others. The boy was taken to Geisinger Medical Center, near Danville, for treatment. Neither police nor the assisted living center released the name of the child or his mother.

Lennie C. Boop, executive administrator of Graysonview, said Wednesday the child’s mother is an employee of the facility.

He said in a statement Wednesday that the boy was kept overnight for observation and underwent tests, and that the child’s injuries are not believed to be serious.

Boop added that the facility is providing support to the family of the child.

This is the third year the facility has had a float in the parade, he said. He would not say how many people were on the float at the time of the accident because police are investigating.

Chris Kenawell, chairman of the Selinsgrove parade committee, said he wasn’t aware of Tuesday night’s accident until Wednesday morning.

There are no age restrictions or requirements of Selinsgrove parade participants, Kenawell said. The safety of individuals involved in the parade procession is the responsibility of the driver of the float and the chaperones, Kenawell said.

“Each float is run by their particular organization,” he said. “It is their responsibility to use common sense for the safety of people on the float.”

Kenawell, a parade committee member for the past nine years, said the parade has never had an accident such as Tuesday evening’s.

“I don’t know what restrictions would have helped something like this,” Kenawell said.

As a result of the accident, the committee will likely consider various safety precautions that could be implemented for coming parades, he said, adding that he could not guarantee any changes.

Sunbury’s Halloween parade is tonight and the chairman of the event said there are few safety regulations that participants are expected to follow.

Michael Hummel, fire police captain and organizer for the Sunbury parade, said the city event does not regulate the age of participants, but that officials try to keep a close eye on those involved with the march.