Cops say a man crossing the street was hit and killed in St. John the Baptist Parish.
"On December 12, 2022, shortly after 6:15 pm, Troopers with Louisiana State Police Troop B responded to a vehicle crash involving a pedestrian on US 61 (Airline Highway) near Belle Point Boulevard in Laplace," Trooper Kate Stegall said in a news release. "This crash ultimately claimed the life of 61-year-old James Clifford Morrison, Jr. of Laplace."
She says the initial investigation revealed that a driver in a 2022 Kia Rio was traveling in the right lane of US 61 when Morrison was attempting to walk across the roadway.
"As Morrison entered the right lane of US 61 east, he was struck by the Kia. In the area of the crash, there are no designated crosswalks and lighting is limited. Additionally, Morrison was wearing dark colored clothing at the time of the crash."
Stegall says was transported to a local hospital where he later died.
"Impairment is not suspected on the part of the driver of the Kia, however a voluntary blood sample was given and will be sent to the Louisiana State Police Crime Lab for analysis. Impairment on the part of Morrison is unknown and toxicology samples will be obtained for testing."
The investigation is ongoing.
