Pedestrian Struck and Killed on U.S. 171 in Calcasieu Parish

Calcasieu Parish – On October 15, 2021, shortly before 6:00 a.m., Louisiana State Police Troop D responded to a crash involving a pedestrian on U.S. Highway 171 just north of Lake Charles. The crash claimed the life of 38-year-old Jodie K. Laughlin of Universal City, Texas.

The preliminary investigation revealed Laughlin was walking in the northbound lanes of travel on U.S. 171 when she was struck by a northbound SUV. Laughlin was fatally injured and pronounced dead at the scene by the Calcasieu Parish Coroner’s Office. The driver of the SUV was properly restrained and not injured.

Impairment on the part of Laughlin is unknown, but a standard toxicology sample was taken for analysis. The driver of the SUV submitted a breath sample and showed no signs of impairment at the time of the crash. This crash remains under investigation.

October is National Pedestrian Safety Month. Pedestrians should maintain a heightened level of awareness while walking near a road, especially at night. Precautions such as wearing light-colored or reflective clothing, avoiding distractions, not walking close to or in travel lanes, and walking against the flow of traffic can help prevent pedestrian-related crashes.
This was the third fatal pedestrian crash investigated last night by Louisiana State Police Region 2 (Troop C, Troop D, and Troop I). Troop D has investigated 29 fatal crashes resulting in 30 deaths in 2021.

Contact Information:
Sgt. James Anderson
Louisiana State Police
Public Affairs Section
Office: (337) 491-2932
james.l.anderson@la.gov