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MAURICE - Family and friends of 45-year-old Cleveland Duhon received word that a body had been found in a drainage canal about four football fields away from where Cleveland Duhon’s car plunged into a coulee off Etienne Street in Maurice.
They got word about 9:30 Thursday morning and it did not take them long to gather in the neighborhood of Prairie Cove Subdivision, located south of where Duhon’s car wrecked.
According to Maurice Chief of Police Guy Nerren, a body was removed from the canal. His brother, Marcus Duhon, identified the body as Cleveland Duhon by looking at a photo.
The search began Thursday morning again for Cleveland Duhon. Nerren said law enforcement walked the banks of the drainage canal from Maurice to La. 699 and the La. 167 intersection.
A friend said he did not think Cleveland had a chance to survive when he escaped from his vehicle due to the strong current.
“I don’t think he would have survived even if he knew how to swim,” said the friend who did not want to be identified. “It just pulled him under.”
Nerren said the window was down on the driver’s sideof his vehicle, and he believes Cleveland Duhon was able to get out through that window.
On Monday at around 9:10 p.m., a surveillance camera near the coulee captured Cleveland Duhon’s car turning into the waterway and plunging below the surface into the coulee.
Nerren said Cleveland Duhon’s vehicle was discovered by a law enforcement patrol around 2:30 a.m. Tuesday after the vehicle began to protrude from the water. The vehicle was recovered, but Duhon was nowhere to be found, he said.
Cleveland Duhon had just left his mother’s house, which was five minutes away from the crash.

ABBEVILLE — A Mass of Christian Burial for Mrs. Debbie Connor Viator, 63, will be held at 1:00PM on Friday, May 21, 2021 at St. Thresa Catholic Church with Fr. Francois Sainte-Marie officiating. Interment will follow at Our Lady of the Lake Cemetery.
Visitation will be at David Funeral Home of Abbeville on Wednesday, May 19, 2021 beginning at 3:00PM until 9:00PM and on Thursday, May 20, 2021 from 8:00AM until 9:00PM with a recitation of the rosary at 7:00PM. Visitation will resume on Friday, May 21, 2021 from 8:00AM until the time of the service.
A native of Abbeville and resident of Erath, Mrs. Debbie died at 8:17PM on Monday, May 17, 2021 at Abbeville General Hospital. She enjoyed Bingo, sewing, and watching TV. She also enjoyed being with family and friends.
She is survived by a son, Ray Prejean, Jr. of Abbeville; a daughter, Crystal Prejean and her wife Stephanie Prejean of Abbeville; her father, Wilsie Connor, Sr.; four brothers, Eddie Connor, Johnny Connor, Wilsie Connor, Jr. and his wife Sue Ellen, and Elray Dumond, Jr.; four sisters, Marilyn Stelly and her husband Daniel, Rachel Dumond and her fiance Elliot Broussard, Hope Hartly and her husband Billy, and Lisa White; five grandchildren, Shawn Byron, Taylor Byron, Logan Byron, Dazie Faulconer, and Anthony Faulconer, Jr.; and two great grandchildren, Abriella Byron, and Hazel LaSalle.
She is preceded in death by her husband, John A. Viator; and her mother, Rosa Belle Sonnier Dumond.
Serving as pallbearers will be Eddie Connor, Johnny Connor, Wilsie Connor, Jr., Ray Prejean, Jr., Shawn Byron, and Logan Byron.
You may sign the guest register book and express condolences online at www.davidfuneralhome.org
“In order to help keep the community safe we will honor the July 13, 2020 Louisiana Mandates.  All families and their guests are required to wear a face covering while at the funeral home. Thank you for your understanding during this unprecedented time.” 
David Funeral Home of Abbeville at 2600 Charity St. (337893-3777 will be handling the arrangements.

ERATH — Funeral Services for Todd Felix Bergeron, 53, will be at 2:00PM Thursday, May 20, 2021 at David Funeral Home of Erath with Deacon Tim Marcantel officiating. Interment will be at a later date.
Visitation will at David Funeral Home of Erath Wednesday, May 19, 2021 from 4:00PM until 8:00PM with recitation of the rosary at 6:00PM. Visitation will resume Thursday from 8:00AM until service time.
Todd, a native and life resident of Vermilion Parish passed away Thursday, May 13, 2021 at his residence. He enjoyed many outdoor activities and having a good time with his family.
He is survived by his daughters, Morgan Bergeron of Lafayette, Megan Bergeron of Youngsville, a brother, Ricky Bergeron of Erath, an aunt, Alice LeBlanc of Erath, 2 grandchildren, Alania David and Peyton Batiste.
He is preceded in death by his mother, Helen DuBois and a sister, Debbie Bergeron.
Condolences may be shared with the family at www.davidfuneralhome.org
“In order to help keep the community safe we will honor the July 13, 2020 Louisiana Mandates.  All families and their guests are required to wear a face covering while at the funeral home. Thank you for your understanding during this unprecedented time.” 
David Funeral Home of Erath is in charge of arrangements, 209 E. Putnam St. Erath, LA 70533 (337) 937-0405.

The City of Abbeville has sandbags available.
Sandbags can be obtained at the city barnk located at 1811 Godchaux St. in Abbeville. The barn is open from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Sick or elderly in need of assistance can call 337-898-4209.