On July 28, 2024, a drunk driver named Jason Chaisson took the lives of two innocent people—Thuy Gustin and Chase Sharkey—and left several others severely injured. What began as a day on the water ended in unimaginable tragedy, permanently altering the lives of countless families.

As a result of this reckless act, six children are now left without a mother or father. The emotional, physical, and psychological toll of this incident is immeasurable—and permanent.

On August 1, 2025, Jason Chaisson was sentenced to just two years in jail. With the possibility of early release for “good behavior,” he could walk free in just one year.

To make things worse, just days before sentencing, Jason was seen back out on the river drinking—the very behavior that led to this tragedy. That’s not remorse. That’s not accountability.

Two years is not enough. One year is unthinkable. It’s a slap in the face to the families still grieving, the survivors still healing, and the children left behind. This sentence fails to reflect the seriousness of his actions—or the lifelong pain they’ve caused.

One year behind bars is not justice for the lives he destroyed. This sentence is an insult to the families still grieving and the survivors still healing.

We demand a reopening and re-evaluation of Jason Chaisson’s case to ensure that justice truly prevails. This is not just about seeking what’s right for Thuy, Chase, and their grieving families but about demanding accountability in our community. The integrity of our legal system in Livingston Parish depends on it. It is our collective responsibility to ensure that our legal processes reflect the severity of crimes and uphold justice, especially when lives are lost due to preventable tragedies.

We are calling for a formal review of this sentencing. Please sign and share if you believe Thuy, Chase, their children, and all those impacted deserve better. Their lives mattered.