St. James Parish, Louisiana - A fatal crash occurred on Louisiana Highway 70 on December 10, 2024, claiming the life of a 63-year-old pedestrian. The incident happened shortly before 5:00 a.m. just west of the Sunshine Bridge, and Louisiana State Police Troop C is currently investigating the circumstances surrounding the crash.

According to the preliminary investigation, a 2014 GMC Sierra was traveling east on LA Hwy 70 when it struck a pedestrian, identified as Randolph McKinley of Convent, Louisiana who was walking north across the eastbound lanes of travel. For reasons still under investigation, the GMC Sierra collided with McKinley, resulting in fatal injuries. McKinley was pronounced dead at the scene.

The driver of the GMC Sierra was wearing a seatbelt and did not sustain any injuries in the crash. Authorities do not suspect the driver of being impaired, and a breath sample was taken, which showed no detectable level of alcohol. A toxicology sample was also collected from McKinley and will be analyzed as part of the ongoing investigation.

The Louisiana State Police is urging both pedestrians and motorists to exercise caution while using roadways and to remain attentive to their surroundings. This crash serves as a tragic example of the importance of being vigilant and aware of one's environment while traveling on highways.

As the investigation continues, authorities will work to determine the exact cause of the crash and whether any factors contributed to the incident. In the meantime, the community is reminded to prioritize road safety and to take necessary precautions to prevent such incidents from occurring in the future.