Slidell, Louisiana - On December 19, just before 10:30 a.m., Louisiana State Police Troop L commenced an inquiry into a tragic crash involving a pedestrian on the Interstate 10 Twin Span Bridge in St. Tammany Parish. The incident resulted in the death of Miguel Martinez-Contreras, a 36-year-old individual from Tlaxcoapan, Mexico.

According to initial findings, Martinez-Contreras was walking and entered the westbound travel lanes of Interstate 10 from the right shoulder. Simultaneously, a 2015 Freightliner Cascadia was traveling in the same direction in the right lane of Interstate 10. For reasons that are still being investigated, the Freightliner collided with the pedestrian on the road.

Martinez-Contreras suffered fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the Freightliner was wearing a seatbelt and did not sustain any injuries. As part of standard procedure, samples for toxicology analysis were collected from both the pedestrian and the driver of the Freightliner as part of the ongoing investigation into this incident.

The Louisiana State Police are advising both pedestrians and drivers to stay alert on the roads and be mindful of their environment. Many pedestrian crashes can be prevented by adhering to a few key safety measures. Pedestrians are encouraged to wear bright or reflective clothing and to refrain from walking on the road. It's important for pedestrians to assume that drivers may not see them approaching. Additionally, pedestrians should only cross roads in well-lit, designated areas and always walk against traffic flow. By following these straightforward guidelines, pedestrian safety can be significantly improved.