A man convicted in a fatal boating crash on the Tickfaw River has been released on parole after serving part of his sentence. The Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections confirmed that Jason Chaisson Jr. was released on April 1 under good time parole supervision after spending about eight months in custody.
Parole Terms and Timeline
Chaisson began serving his sentence on August 1, 2025, in Livingston Parish and was later transferred before being released under supervision in the East Jefferson District. Officials said he will remain on supervised parole until July 19, 2027, his full-term date.
Details of the Deadly Crash
The crash occurred in July 2024 near Kings Point and involved a 25-foot Sea Fox boat operated by Chaisson and a 25-foot pontoon boat. According to the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, the collision caused both vessels to overturn.
Rescue crews found 31-year-old Thuy Gustin trapped under the boat; she later died at a hospital. Another victim, 36-year-old Chase Sharkey, was pronounced dead at the scene. Several others were seriously injured in the crash. Investigators determined that Chaisson was impaired at the time of the incident.
Sentencing and Charges
On August 1, 2025, Chaisson was sentenced to two counts of negligent homicide and five counts of negligent injuring. He received five-year sentences for each homicide count, to run consecutively, but was ordered to serve one year for each. He also received six months for each injury charge, to run concurrently, resulting in a total of two years in prison.
As part of his sentence, Chaisson was required to complete a substance abuse evaluation, attend a driver improvement course and participate in a victim impact panel. He was originally booked on more serious charges, including vehicular homicide, first-degree vehicular negligent injury and operating a vessel while intoxicated.
Ongoing Supervision
While now out of custody, Chaisson remains under strict supervision and must comply with parole conditions until his sentence is fully completed in 2027.
