| id | cleanReleaseDate | troopName | title |
| 5021 | 2015-03-18 | Troop F | UPDATE - Alabama Man Dies While Walking on Highway |
TROOP F NEWS RELEASE UPDATE March 18, 2015 TROOP F NEWS RELEASE March 17, 2015 Alabama Man Dies While Walking on Highway TALLULAH – An Alabama man who was walking on a rural highway overnight is dead after being struck by a vehicle in Madison Parish. Shortly after midnight on March 17, 2015, Louisiana State Police Troop F responded to a report of an 18-wheeler that was stationary in the lane of travel on U.S. Highway 65 about 6 miles north of Tallulah in Madison Parish. The truck was found to be abandoned for unknown reasons and a Louisiana State Trooper and Madison Parish Sheriff’s Deputies began to search for the driver to check on his welfare and to get the truck moved. Subsequently the driver of the truck, 47-year-old David P. Watford of Cottonwood, Alabama, was struck by a southbound Louisiana State Police Chevrolet Tahoe at 12:28 a.m. Watford had been walking in the southbound lane of travel on U.S. 65 facing traffic. The Tahoe was driven by the Trooper who was looking for him. Watford was pronounced dead at the scene by the Madison Parish Coroner’s Office. The driver of the Tahoe was wearing a seat belt and was unhurt. Impairment is not suspected to be a factor and toxicology results are pending. The crash is being investigated by a State Police shift lieutenant. The crash remains under investigation. The crash occurred in open farm country with no nearby lighting. A wide shoulder was available to walk upon. At the time of the crash, Watford was wearing blue jeans and a camouflage shirt. A majority of pedestrian fatalities, nearly 70 percent, occur at night. Pedestrians are encouraged to walk facing traffic, use a sidewalk or highway shoulder when available, wear light colored clothing with reflective materials, and to carry a flashlight at night. Additional pedestrian safety information may be found online at www.walkinginfo.org. In 2015, Troop F has investigated 10 fatal crashes resulting in 10 deaths. Contact Information: Sgt. James Anderson Louisiana State Police Public Affairs Section Office: (337) 491-2932 james.l.anderson@la.gov www.LSP.org www.facebook.com/LouisianaStatePolice | |||
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