UPDATE: Unidentified Female Pedestrian Killed in Ouachita Parish Crash

TROOP F NEWS RELEASE

July 3, 2023

UPDATE: Unidentified Female Pedestrian Killed in Ouachita Parish Crash

Swartz – Earlier this afternoon, Ouachita Parish Coroner’s Office positively identified the unidentified female as 34-year-old Demetria Cooks of Rayville. This crash remains under investigation.

See below for the initial news release from this morning.

Swartz – On Monday, July 3, 2023, shortly after 12:30 a.m., Troopers assigned to Louisiana State Police Troop F began investigating a single-vehicle crash involving a pedestrian on LA Hwy 139 at Luke Drive. This crash ultimately claimed the life of an unidentified female pedestrian.

The preliminary investigation revealed that a driver of a vehicle traveling north on LA Hwy 139 observed a pedestrian wearing dark clothing lying in the roadway. The driver dodged the pedestrian and turned around to render assistance. Simultaneously, a 2023 Toyota Crown was also traveling north on LA Hwy 139. For reasons still under investigation, the Toyota struck the pedestrian.

As a result of this crash, the unidentified female pedestrian was transported to a local hospital with serious injuries and was later pronounced deceased. The driver of the Toyota was properly restrained and uninjured. Impairment on the part of the driver is not suspected. However, routine toxicology samples were collected and will be submitted for analysis. This crash remains under investigation.

Troopers urge anybody with information relating to this crash, to please contact Louisiana State Police Troop F at 318-345-0000.

Troopers wish to remind all pedestrians to maintain a heightened level of awareness while walking near or on the roadway. Simple precautions such as wearing reflective materials, avoiding distractions, and walking a safe distance from travel lanes while facing oncoming traffic could help prevent many pedestrian related crashes. Pedestrians must also assume that approaching motorists cannot see them, especially at night.

In 2023, Troop F has investigated 18 fatal crashes, resulting in 20 deaths.

Contact Information:

TPR LeAnn Hodges

Louisiana State Police

Public Affairs - Troop G

Office: (318) 741-7409

LeAnn.Hodges@la.gov