NewsLocal NewsIn Your Parish

Actions

Opelousas man dies in morning crash

Posted at 12:40 PM, Oct 15, 2018
and last updated 2018-10-15 13:40:31-04

An Opelousas man died this morning after he was struck by a vehicle while walking on La. 742.

Russell Zachary, 76, was walking north across the highway near Amy Road in St. Landry Parish at about 9 a.m. this morning, State Police said.

A Port Barre woman was driving west on the highway, and attempted to steer away from him, police said. He stumbled and fell into the path of her vehicle, police said.

Zachary was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver wasn’t injured. Impairment is unknown on the part of the pedestrian and standard toxicology tests are pending. The driver submitted to a breath test which showed no alcohol present. The investigation is ongoing.

Troopers urge pedestrians to maintain a heightened level of awareness while walking near the road. Simple precautions such as wearing reflective materials, avoiding distractions, and not walking too close to roadways could prevent most pedestrian related crashes. The dangers of driving impaired and distracted can also contribute to tragedies such as these and we ask all drivers to be vigilant behind the wheel.