| id | cleanReleaseDate | troopName | title |
| 1076 | 2013-12-30 | Troop A | Pedestrian Killed in Livingston Parish Crash |
TROOP A NEWS RELEASE December 30, 2013 Pedestrian Killed in Livingston Parish Crash Denham Springs – Shortly before 8:15 pm on December 29, 2013, Troopers from Louisiana State Police Troop A began investigating a single vehicle crash that occurred on LA Hwy 1026 (Juban Rd.) south of US Hwy 190 in Livingston Parish. The initial investigation by State Police revealed that the crash occurred as 39 year old Ergin Reese, III of Denham Springs was driving a 2011 GMC Sierra pickup truck southbound on LA Hwy 1026. Reese stated to Troopers that as he was driving southbound on LA Hwy 1026, he struck what he believed was a garbage can with the front right side of his vehicle. Upon doing so, Reese stopped his vehicle on LA Hwy 1026 south of I-12 and notified police. Upon arriving on scene, Troopers and Livingston Parish Sheriff’s Deputies searched the area in an attempt to find an object that Reese may have struck, but were unable to do so. The next morning shortly after 7:00 am, Troop A was notified by a pedestrian of a body that was lying in a deep overgrown ditch off of LA Hwy 1026 north of I-12. The unidentified male was partially submerged in the ditch. The Louisiana State Police Crime Lab was called to the scene, and through investigative efforts were able to determine that the male (identified as 27 year old Devin I. Hammond of Baton Rouge) was struck by the GMC pickup being driven by Reese. The investigation determined that Hammond (who was wearing dark clothing) was walking northbound partially in the roadway when he was struck by the southbound pickup truck. Hammond sustained fatal injuries as a result of the crash. Impairment on the part of Reese is not suspected, and he was not cited in the crash. An independent eyewitness stated to Troopers that shortly prior to the crash they observed Hammond walking northbound in the roadway along a dark section of LA Hwy 1026. Crashes involving pedestrians can often be avoided by following some basic safety guidelines. Pedestrians should wear light-colored or reflective clothing and should always avoid walking on the roadway in dark areas. Pedestrians must also assume that approaching motorists cannot see them, especially at night. Crossing roadways only in well-lit, designated areas and always walking facing traffic will enhance the safety for pedestrians. Contact Information: | |||
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