SORRENTO, LA — A pedestrian died Thursday night after being hit by a pickup while walking in the left lane of U.S. Highway 61 in Sorrento, according to Louisiana State Police. The man was later identified by authorities as a 38-year-old from Daytona Beach, Florida.
State Police said the crash happened just before 8 p.m. north of La. Highway 22 in Ascension Parish, near Frank Drive. The pedestrian was seriously injured and taken to a hospital, where he later died.
The driver of the 2007 Chevrolet Silverado was not hurt. Investigators said the driver was unrestrained at the time of the crash.
State police say the man was walking north in the travel lane when the Silverado approached
According to State Police, the Silverado was traveling north on U.S. 61 when it came upon the pedestrian, who was also walking north in the left travel lane. Investigators said the collision happened for reasons that are still being examined.
The crash location was described as being near the intersection of Frank Drive, a stretch of roadway where traffic moves through an area with highway and local street access. Officials have not said why the pedestrian was on the roadway or whether visibility played any role.
Because the investigation is still open, state police have not released additional details about the moments leading up to impact.
Driver was not injured as investigators begin toxicology testing
Louisiana State Police said toxicology samples will be collected from both the driver and the pedestrian as part of the investigation. That step is routine in fatal crashes and helps investigators determine whether impairment may have been involved.
The agency did not say whether any charges are expected. It also has not released information about speed, weather conditions, or whether the Silverado had any mechanical problems.
The pickup driver remained uninjured after the collision, while the pedestrian’s injuries proved fatal at the hospital.
Fatal highway crash adds to the risks pedestrians face on rural and suburban roads
Crashes involving pedestrians on highways can be especially dangerous because drivers and walkers are sharing space designed primarily for vehicles. Even in areas with street lighting or nearby intersections, a person on foot in a travel lane can be difficult to see in time to avoid a collision.
Authorities have not said whether the pedestrian was crossing the road or simply walking along it, only that he was in the left travel lane when the pickup struck him. The investigation is expected to focus on roadway position, visibility, and driver actions before the impact.
For now, state police say the circumstances remain under review.
What Louisiana State Police have confirmed so far about the Sorrento death
So far, investigators have confirmed three main points: a pedestrian died, the crash involved a 2007 Chevrolet Silverado, and the incident happened just before 8 p.m. Thursday on U.S. 61 north of La. Highway 22. The man killed was from Daytona Beach, Florida, though police have not publicly named him.
Officials also said the driver was not injured and that both people involved will be part of the toxicology process. Beyond that, state police have not described any contributing factors.
The fatal crash remains under investigation by Louisiana State Police.
U.S. 61 scene near Frank Drive remains under investigation after Thursday night fatality
The deadly collision happened near Frank Drive, a point along U.S. Highway 61 where investigators are still piecing together the sequence of events. State Police have not said whether road closures or traffic delays followed the wreck.
Fatal crash investigations often take time as troopers review physical evidence, vehicle damage, and witness accounts. In this case, officials are also waiting on toxicology results before drawing conclusions about what led to the death.
Louisiana State Police said the case is active and that more information may be released as the investigation continues.
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