Louisiana Bicyclist Killed in Crash on LA 98

Lafayette Parish, Louisiana – Louisiana State Police reported on July 22, 2022, that on July 21, 2022, shortly after 11:30 p.m., Troopers from LSP Troop I began investigating a crash involving a bicyclist that occurred on Louisiana Highway 98 just west of LA 93 in Lafayette Parish. The crash killed a 67-year-old male, whose identity is being withheld pending notification of next of kin.
According to preliminary findings, the bicyclist was stopped in the westbound lane of LA 98, facing east. At the same time, a driver in a 2010 GMC Terrain SUV traveling west on LA 98 collided with the bicycle. The male was thrown from the bicycle as a result of the collision.

The bicyclist died as a result of his injuries, and the Lafayette Parish Coroner’s Office pronounced him dead at the scene. The GMC driver was not injured and showed no signs of impairment. Toxicology samples were collected from both the driver and the bicyclist and sent for testing. This crash is still being investigated.

According to the Center for Analytics and Research at Louisiana State University, 638 bicycles were involved in crashes in 2021, and 532 people were injured or killed. Every person riding a bicycle on a roadway in Louisiana is required by law to ride as close to the right side of the road as possible. Furthermore, state law requires bicycles to have reflectors as well as front and rear lights, and bicyclists to use these lights between the hours of sunset and sunrise.

Troop I has investigated 26 fatal crashes resulting in 30 deaths so far in 2022.