Catholic Musician Gerard Faucheux and His Parents Killed in Car Crash

42-year-old Catholic singer and songwriter Gerard Faucheux and his parents, 72-year old Nelson and Shirley Faucheux, were killed in a car crash on Interstate 10 in Mississippi. Gerard was driving his parents to his father's medical appointment at the time.

Carol Banks, 62, of Kenner, was jailed on hit and run charges after colliding with the Faucheux vehicle, pushing it into the path of another vehicle. Banks kept driving and was apprehending a short time later.

Gerard Faucheux left his wife, Kathy, a schoolteacher in Meadville, and four children between the ages of 10 and 21, according to Lisa Bacala, Gerard's sister. Nelson and Shirley Faucheux are survived by Bacala and another son.

The year leading up to the accident had taken a toll on the Faucheuxs. To battle Nelson Faucheux's diabetic and heart-disease complications, doctors amputated both of his feet last spring. They then ordered him to receive dialysis treatment three times a week, said Bacala, an Ascension Parish School Board employee.

Bacala said her father developed a staph infection in one of his legs from his frequent dialysis visits. When the wound did not heal, he started visiting a specialist at East Jefferson General Hospital regularly to have it cleaned. He was returning from one of these appointments when the accident occurred.

The Faucheux siblings took turns driving their father to his medial appointments, Bacala said.

Gerard recorded his debut CD of self-penned songs, "How Can You Think of Me Now", which was produced by Dave Smith of Icon Music Studios.


Submitted by Jim Logue