Bicyclist Killed in Plaquemines Parish Crash

Port Sulphur – On Monday, March 31, 2025, around 5:10 p.m., Troopers with Louisiana State Police Troop B were notified of a two-vehicle crash involving a bicycle on LA 23 near Fosters Road in Plaquemines Parish. The crash claimed the life of 72-year-old Kenneth Oshell of Cornelius, North Carolina.

The preliminary investigation revealed that Oshell was riding a bicycle south in the right southbound lane on LA 23, near Fosters Road. At the same time, a 2018 Ford F-150 was also traveling in the right southbound lane on LA 23. For reasons still under investigation, the Ford impacted the bicycle. At the time of the crash, Oshell had a blinking strobe light on the bicycle and was wearing bright clothing.

Oshell suffered serious injuries and died on scene. The driver of the Ford was properly restrained and uninjured. A routine toxicology sample was obtained from the driver of the Ford. This crash remains under investigation.

Troopers wish to remind motorists that our roads are shared by vehicles of different sizes, bicyclists, and even pedestrians. Passing motorists must yield to bicyclists, leaving a safe space of no less than three feet between their vehicle and the bicyclist. Additionally, Louisiana law classifies bicycles as vehicles and requires bicyclists to follow the same traffic rules as motorists. Never assume that a motorist can see you; remember it’s essential to stay visible by using appropriate lighting and wearing bright or reflective clothing in low-light conditions. For additional information on bicycle safety, visit the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission’s website at https://www.lahighwaysafety.org/our-programs/bicycle-pedestrian-safety/.

Contact Information:
Trooper First Class Jacob Pucheu
Louisiana State Police
Public Affairs Section – Troop B
Office: (504) 471-2775
[email protected]