A New Iberia man died Saturday night while walking on the highway.
Trent Polk, 41, was killed in a crash on La. 345, State Police say.
The crash happened near the intersection of La. 345 and La. 679, troopers say.
The preliminary investigation by State Police revealed Polk and a second pedestrian were walking in the southbound lane of LA 345 when they were approached by a southbound 2019 Ford F150. The driver of the F150 attempted to avoid the pedestrians but was unable to avoid Polk. The second pedestrian was not struck and was uninjured.
Polk was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the F150 was properly restrained and was not injured.
The driver of the F150 submitted a breath sample which indicated no alcohol present and displayed no signs of impairment. A toxicology sample was taken from Polk and results are pending. This crash remains under investigation.
A majority of pedestrian fatalities, nearly 70 percent, occur at night. Troopers urge pedestrians to maintain a heightened level of awareness while walking near the road. Simple precautions such as wearing reflective materials, avoiding distractions, not walking too close to roadways, and walking against the flow of traffic could prevent most pedestrian related crashes.
Troop I has investigated 48 fatal crashes resulting in 53 deaths since the beginning of 2020.
