Louisiana Man Killed in Heartbreaking Incident, Trying to Remove Debris from Roadway

Louisiana State Police officials say that a man trying to remove debris from a roadway was struck and killed in the Ossun area on the morning of Friday, March 21.

What Do Officials Know About The Circumstances?

According to Louisiana State Police Trooper First Class Peggy Bourque with the Public Affairs Section of State Police the situation began to unfold around 7 o'clock Friday morning on Louisiana Highway 98 near the area of Mills Street.

The 65-year-old man left his vehicle in order to get a large item removed from the roadway.

As he was doing this in the eastbound lane near Mills Street a vehicle traveling in the same direction struck the victim.

What Is Known From The Preliminary Investigation?

According to the work done during the preliminary investigation, Bourque says the crash claimed the life of Mark Darsey of Houma.

They have yet to determine why the driver of the vehicle did not notice Darsey was in the roadway.

The victim was severely injured, and he was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash by the coroner's office.

The vehicle driver was wearing a seatbelt and was not injured in the crash.

What Happened Following The Crash?

Following the crash, as is typical in fatality cases, a routine blood sample was taken from Darsey for analysis.

Bourque says troopers did not observe any signs of impairment from Darsey, and they determined he was not. He also voluntarily submitted to a breath test, which was under the legal limit.

What Do State Police Officials Want Drivers To Remember?

• According to Louisiana law, everyone must wear a seatbelt while in a vehicle.
• Always make sure that seatbelts are used correctly.
• Every child in a vehicle must be in the appropriate car seat.
• Never let anything distract you while driving.
• Never drive if you are impaired by any substance. 

The crash remains under investigation.