| id | cleanReleaseDate | troopName | title |
| 7414 | 2019-10-07 | Troop I | Crash Kills Teen Bicyclist in St. Landry Parish |
TROOP I NEWS RELEASE Crash Kills Teen Bicyclist in St. Landry Parish Opelousas – Shortly before 7:30 pm on October 6, 2018, Troopers from Louisiana State Police Troop I began investigating a fatal crash involving a bicyclist on Interstate 49 N. Service Road near Chevis Road in St. Landry Parish. The crash took the life of 16-year-old Lane Leger of Opelousas. The initial investigation by State Police revealed that the crash occurred as Leger was traveling southbound on a bicycle in the lane of travel of I-49 N. Service Road. At the same time, a 2009 Nissan Altima was being driven southbound on I-49 N. Service Road. Leger was traveling on a bicycle equipped with no lights. As the Nissan driver approached Leger from the rear, he was unable to avoid the bicycle. As a result, the Nissan struck the rear of the bicycle, ejecting Leger. Leger was pronounced deceased at the scene by the St. Landry Parish Coroner’s Office. A toxicology sample was obtained from Leger and the results are pending. The driver of the Nissan was uninjured, and impairment on his part was not a factor in the crash. A breath sample was obtained from the driver of the Nissan which indicated no alcohol in his system. This crash remains under investigation. Bicyclists should never assume that motorists can see them. Louisiana Revised Statute 32:329.1 states that bicyclists cannot ride on a state highway, parish road, or city street between sunset and sunrise unless their bicycle is equipped with lamps and reflectors. Furthermore, LRS 32:197 states that bicyclists should ride as near to the right side of the roadway as practicable. Troopers would like to remind bicyclists that simple precautions such as using proper lighting, wearing reflective materials, and obeying all traffic laws are key to preventing crashes. Contact Information: | |||
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