Ville Platte, Louisiana - On the evening of October 13, 2023, around 8:30 pm, Louisiana State Police Troop I responded to a tragic incident on Louisiana Highway 10 in Evangeline Parish. The crash involved a single vehicle and a pedestrian, resulting in the untimely death of Christopher A. Bellard, a 56-year-old resident of Ville Platte, Louisiana.

According to initial findings, Bellard was walking in the middle of the eastbound lane when he was struck by a 2020 Ford Escape traveling in the same direction.

Bellard succumbed to his injuries at the scene. The driver of the Ford escaped unharmed and showed no signs of impairment after providing a breath sample for testing purposes. However, it is still uncertain whether Bellard was under any influence at the time of the incident; therefore, further analysis is required through toxicology testing.

Troopers emphasize the importance of pedestrians maintaining heightened awareness while walking near roads, as nearly 70 percent of pedestrian fatalities occur at night. Taking basic precautions such as wearing reflective materials, staying focused without distractions, keeping a safe distance from roadways, and walking against traffic flow can greatly reduce the occurrence of pedestrian-related crashes.

Since the beginning of 2023, LSP Troop I has examined 41 fatal crashes resulting in a total of 46 deaths.