Louisiana Bicyclist Dies from Injuries Sustained in Crash on LA 308

Louisiana – Louisiana State Police reported that on July 14, 2022, shortly after 4:00 p.m., LSP Troop C was notified of a two-vehicle severe injury crash involving a bicyclist on Louisiana Highway 308 near Louisiana Highway 182. Freddie Brooks, 79, of Raceland, Louisiana, died in the crash.

According to preliminary findings, Brooks was riding a Murray bicycle south on a sidewalk near the southbound lane of LA Hwy 308. A 2012 Chevrolet Tahoe was also traveling south on LA Hwy 308. Brooks steered left onto LA Hwy 308, into the path of a Chevrolet, and was struck, causing him to be ejected from the bicycle. The reason for this is still under investigation.

Brooks suffered serious injuries and was taken to a nearby hospital, where he died. The driver of the Chevrolet was unharmed. According to Louisiana State Police, a standard toxicology sample was collected from Brooks and submitted for analysis. The driver of the Chevrolet was not suspected of being intoxicated and provided a voluntary breath sample, which revealed no alcohol. This accident is still being investigated.

While Louisiana law gives bicyclists the same rights as drivers on most roads, bicyclists must travel in the same direction as traffic, stay as close to the right side of the road as possible, and obey all traffic laws and signage. Additional precautions, such as riding predictably and avoiding distractions, can help to avoid crashes and injuries.

So far in 2022, Troop C has investigated 28 fatal crashes that resulted in 32 deaths.