Amite, Louisiana - A fatal crash involving a pedestrian occurred on Interstate 55 near LA Hwy 16 in Tangipahoa Parish early Saturday morning, claiming the life of 29-year-old Cierra Porche of Hammond, Louisiana. According to the Louisiana State Police, the incident happened around 6:45 a.m. when two separate crashes took place in the same general location, only minutes apart.

The initial investigation revealed that the first crash involved a 2007 Saturn Vue, driven by Porche, which was traveling northbound in the left lane of I-55. A 2022 Ford Edge was also traveling northbound in the right lane. Preliminary findings indicate that the Saturn crossed into the right lane and struck the rear left side of the Ford. As a result, the Ford came to rest in the median, while the Saturn stopped in the right northbound lane's ditch.

Following the initial crash and before emergency personnel arrived, Porche exited her vehicle and walked from the right side of the roadway to the median. After leaving the median, Porche was walking into the left lane of I-55 when a 2022 GMC 2500, which was traveling northbound in the left lane, struck Porche.

Porche sustained fatal injuries as a result of the second crash and was pronounced deceased at the scene. The driver of the GMC was properly restrained and uninjured. Impairment is not suspected on the part of the GMC driver, who provided a breath sample that showed no alcohol. A routine toxicology sample was obtained from Porche for analysis as part of the ongoing investigation.