Arrest made in crash that killed PPHS alumnus

On Monday police arrested 24-year-old Joseph D. Richey, who has been accused of causing a fatal crash that claimed the life of 28-year-old Chataignier native Brad Wedlock.
Richey, of Duson, was arrested on charges including misuse of two-way center turn lane, speeding, reckless operation, seatbelt violation, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of marijuana, operating while intoxicated (second offense), and vehicular homicide.
The crash occurred around 1:45 p.m. on April 3rd at the intersection of Congress Street and Guilbeau Road in Lafayette.
At the time of the accident, Wedlock, who was a 2007 graduate of Pine Prairie High School and had a Master’s in Communication, was pursing a Ph.D. in Education at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette.
Following this tragedy, UL’s Department of Communication faculty members created an endowed student scholarship to honor Wedlock’s memory. A candlelight vigil was also held for Wedlock on Thursday night at the UL Picard Center.
Dr. Lician Dinu, who chairs the Department of Communication, told KATC, “Brad found his love for teaching as a graduate assistant in our department while instructing the introductory communication course. He became a scholar who enjoyed research as a lifelong learner, himself. We want to honor his legacy with the establishment of this scholarship and make it possible for a future student to follow in his footsteps.”
Donations to support the Brad Wedlock Scholarship Fund are being accepted by the UL Lafayette Foundation, and can be made either online at ullafayettefoundation.org/giving, or mailed to P.O. Box 44290 Lafayette, LA. 70504. Donors must specify that their donation go towards the Brad Wedlock Endowed Scholarship Fund.