| id | cleanReleaseDate | troopName | title |
| 1906 | 2012-07-23 | Troop B | Pedestrian Killed in Crash on Airline Highway |
Troop B - NEWS RELEASE Pedestrian Killed in Crash on Airline Highway Troop B – On Saturday, July 21, 2012, shortly after 2:00 AM, Louisiana State Police Troop B responded to two motor vehicle crashes on US 61 (Airline Highway) north near Jacob Street in St. John the Baptist Parish. Preliminary investigation revealed that a 2005 Dodge Neon, driven by Bianca Mason (B/F, age 21) of Chicago, IL, was traveling on US 61 north near Jacob Street when Mason lost control of the vehicle. The vehicle traveled off the road to the right and came to rest in a partially filled drainage ditch. Mason and two other occupants, Lance Dewey (B/M, age 31) of Laplace, LA and Mark Durham (B/M, age 24) of Chicago, IL, were able to escape from the vehicle unharmed. The three occupants crossed all lanes of US 61 into a lighted parking lot and called emergency services. Durham then crossed back across the lanes of US 61 in order to retrieve items from the vehicle, but was struck by a 2012 Nissan Rogue, driven by Gabriel S. Dennis (B/F, age 23) of Reserve, LA, in the right lane of US 61 north. Durham was transported to River Parishes Hospital and later transported to the Interim LSU Public Hospital Level 1 Trauma Center with critical injuries. Durham succumbed to his injuries at approximately 6:30 AM on July 21, 2012. Dennis was wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash and speed is not considered a factor. Dennis was arrested for DWI and booked at the St. John the Baptist Parish Correctional Center. Impairment is unknown on Durham’s part and toxicology results are pending an autopsy. The crash remains under investigation. Troopers urge both motorists and pedestrians to remain vigilant while on area roadways and pay close attention to their surroundings. Distraction, whether behind the wheel or as a pedestrian, decreases awareness and reaction time possibly leading to life changing consequences. Louisiana State Law requires pedestrians to utilize sidewalks where accessible or walk along the left shoulder as far away from the roadway as possible. Pedestrians should walk against the flow of traffic, wear light colored clothing, and stay out of the travel lanes at all times. Contact Information: | |||
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