Pedestrian Reportedly Lying on Roadway in Louisiana Struck and Killed in Single-Vehicle Crash on LA 139 in Ouachita Parish
Ouachita Parish, Louisiana – A single-vehicle crash on LA 139 in Ouachita Parish has reportedly resulted in the death of a pedestrian who was lying on the roadway.
Shortly after 12:30 a.m. on Monday, July 3, 2023, Troopers from Louisiana State Police Troop F initiated an investigation into a solo-vehicle accident involving a pedestrian. The incident took place on LA Hwy 139 at Luke Drive in Ouachita Parish and tragically resulted in the death of Demetria Cooks, a 34-year-old resident from Rayville, Louisiana.
The initial examination showed that a driver in a vehicle going north on LA Hwy 139 saw a person wearing dark clothes lying on the road. The driver managed to avoid hitting the person and immediately turned back to provide help. At the same time, a 2023 Toyota Crown was also traveling north on LA Hwy 139 and struck the pedestrian. The reasons for the Toyota hitting the person are still being investigated.
Due to the accident, the pedestrian walking on the road suffered severe injuries and was taken to a nearby hospital. Unfortunately, she was declared dead later on. The person driving the Toyota was wearing a seatbelt and did not sustain any injuries. It is not believed that the driver was impaired, but standard samples were taken for further analysis. The investigation into the crash is still ongoing.
Troopers are urging anyone who has information regarding the collision to contact Louisiana State Police Troop F at 318-345-0000.
The authorities are urging pedestrians to be extra vigilant when walking near or on roads. It is recommended to take simple precautions like wearing reflective clothing, avoiding distractions, keeping a safe distance from traffic, and facing oncoming traffic while walking, as these measures could greatly reduce the chances of pedestrian accidents. It is important for pedestrians to consider that drivers may not be able to see them, particularly at nighttime.
So far in the year 2023, Troop F conducted investigations on 18 catastrophic accidents, which have led to the unfortunate loss of 20 lives.