| id | cleanReleaseDate | troopName | title |
| 7151 | 2016-03-11 | Troop I | Bicyclist Struck and Killed by Vehicle in St. Landry Parish Crash |
TROOP I NEWS RELEASE March 11, 2016 Bicyclist Struck and Killed by Vehicle in St. Landry Parish Crash St. Landry Parish – Shortly after 8:00 pm on March 10, 2016, Troopers from Louisiana State Police Troop I began investigating a single vehicle fatality crash involving a bicyclist on LA 749 near Sunnyside Lane in St. Landry Parish. The crash took the life of 67 year old John Rideaux of Opelousas, LA. The initial investigation by State Police revealed that the crash occurred as Rideaux was traveling northbound on LA 749 on his bicycle. At the same time, 22 year old Jahvonta Zachary of Opelousas, LA was traveling northbound on LA 749 in a 2015 Hyundai Elantra. As Zachary approached Rideaux from behind, the front of his vehicle struck Rideaux and his bicycle. Rideaux suffered fatal injuries and was pronounced dead on scene by the St. Landry Parish Coroner’s Office. Zachary and his passenger, 18 year old Qiana Orville of Opelousas were wearing seat belts and were not injured. Impairment is not suspected to be a factor in the crash. A toxicology sample was be taken from Rideaux and submitted to the Louisiana State Police Crime Lab for analysis. Zachary voluntarily submitted to a chemical test and was not impaired. At the time of the crash, Rideaux was not wearing a helmet and he did not have the required white light on the front of his bicycle and red light in the rear. Louisiana State Troopers wish to remind bicyclists to never assume that a motorist can see you. Simple precautions such as wearing an approved bicycle helmet, reflective materials, and avoiding distractions are key to preventing crashes and avoiding injuries. Louisiana law requires bicyclists to remain as close to the right of side of the roadway as possible and obey all traffic laws. Contact Information: | |||
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