Brownsville, Louisiana - Louisiana State Police are investigating a fatal pedestrian crash that occurred Tuesday night, January 20, 2026, on Louisiana Highway 617 (Thomas Road), just south of Old Natchitoches Road. The incident claimed the life of 48-year-old Aaron O’Donnell.
According to Louisiana State Police Troop F, troopers responded to the single-vehicle crash shortly after 9 p.m. The preliminary investigation shows that a 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe was traveling south on Thomas Road when the incident happened.
At the same time, investigators say O’Donnell, who was wearing dark clothing, was crossing Thomas Road from west to east. For reasons that remain under investigation, the Hyundai struck O’Donnell in the roadway.
O’Donnell suffered serious injuries in the crash and was transported to a nearby hospital. He later died as a result of those injuries.
Troopers report that the driver of the Hyundai was properly restrained and was not injured. Impairment is not suspected at this time; however, as is standard procedure in fatal roadway incidents, routine toxicology samples were collected and will be submitted for analysis.
Louisiana State Police have not released additional details about factors such as speed, lighting conditions, or where in the lane the impact occurred, and no charges have been announced. The crash remains under investigation by Troop F.