Louisiana State Police say a drunk driver struck and killed a utility worker who was helping restore power after Hurricane Ida. It happened Friday evening in St. Tammany Parish.
"The utility worker was guiding traffic on LA Hwy 433. At the same time, a 2001 Ford Ranger driven by John Kite of Slidell was westbound on LA Hwy 433. For reasons still under investigation, the Ford Ranger impacted a "Lane Closed" traffic control sign, as well as multiple orange cones, before striking the utility worker in the roadway," said Trooper William Huggins.
The utility worker died days later at a local hospital.
"Troopers arrested and transported Kite to a nearby facility where he provided a breath sample that tested over the legal limit for alcohol," said Huggins.
Initially booked with vehicular negligent injuring, additional charges are pending.
