Chere Alice Man and Cajun musician Johnny Sonnier were killed in an accident | Entertainment/Life

Since retiring from active music about three years ago, Johnny Sonnier has spent his days building accordions, tinkering with his vehicles and occasionally stepping in to play when a friend needs help. But after a May 24 accident in his driveway in Scott that injured his right arm, shoulder and lung, one of Cajun music’s most well-known musicians faces a long road to recovery.

Sonnier’s wife, Winnie Sonnier, says Johnny was working on a car with their son when the accident happened. While Sonnier was under the vehicle, it slid off the ramp, trapping him underneath and breaking his ribs, nose and cheekbone. He currently has little use of his right arm, hand and shoulder, making the future uncertain for this right-handed musician and accordion maker.

“He is still in a lot of pain, is out of breath and can’t do anything,” Winnie Sonnier describes the dramatic scene of the accident. After the vehicle overturned, her son began to scream for help, whereupon other family members who live on the property rushed over. Several people had to lift the car and pull him out; while his wife feared that the “Chere Alice” musician had died.

She says: “The recovery will take a very long time. We don’t yet know what is wrong with the arm and shoulder. When he saw the car tip over, he raised his hand to protect his face and his arm got trapped.”

Sonnier is known for his 1984 song “The Devil Went Down to New Iberia,” a remake of the rollicking Charlie Daniels song. This song showcased his “Zydecajun” style, later popularized by Wayne Toups. While recording the single on vinyl, Sonnier was told he would need another track for the back cover, so Sonnier recorded his version of the Cajun classic “Chere Alice.” Year after year, his “Chere Alice” was the most requested song on Louisiana music station KBON 101.1 FM.

Sonnier was inducted into the Cajun French Music Association’s Hall of Fame in 2017. The association had planned another ceremony for this Saturday to honor the 55 years of service of the musician who promoted Cajun music and recorded songs that became dance hall favorites. That event has been postponed.

Sonnier is from Opelousas and started playing accordion and drums in local bands at age 11. The 74-year-old artist says he’s not the type to stay home, but life after the accident is a “daily struggle.” He was hospitalized at Ochsner Lafayette General Medical Center for more than a week, first in the trauma center and then with pneumonia due to the damage to his lungs. He’s due back on Monday for an orthopedic evaluation.

“I’m at a crossroads,” he says. “If you’re right-handed and you can’t use it, it’s going to be bad. Really.”

For her part, Winnie Sonnier says she is “grateful that God spared us Johnny’s life.” The family has fallen on hard times recently, with deaths, health problems and roof damage from the severe storms that hit the area last month. Sonnier has been building accordions for the past few years to supplement her income, but that trade is now on hold indefinitely.

There is a GoFundMe campaign to help the family pay their bills during Sonnier’s recovery. Winnie Sonnier says the family has been strengthened by the support of local musicians and others.

“People have been praying and those who can donate are doing so,” she says. “It’s not just about that, but it helps, don’t get me wrong.”