Louisiana Tragedy: Man Dies After Attempting to Cross Road

Lousiana State Police officials say a man who was trying to cross a roadway walked into the path of a vehicle early Friday morning.

Louisiana State Police Trooper Shelby Mayfield, with the Public Affairs section, says the crash happened at around 5:30 Friday morning as 66-year-old Gilmore Couvillion was walking along Louisiana Highway 75.

He says investigators determined during the preliminary investigation that Couvillion was walking westbound on the highway while a vehicle was traveling in the same direction. For reasons they do not have answers for at this time, Mayfield says Couvillion tried to cross the highway, but instead, the man walked right into the vehicle's path.

Mayfield says Couvillion was seriously injured as he impacted with the vehicle, and he was taken to a hospital, but he died from his injuries. Mayfield says the person driving the vehicle was wearing a seat belt and was not injured in the crash. Routine toxicology tests will be run as is standard in collision cases.

Mayfield says Louisiana State Police officials have the following reminders for pedestrians and drivers:

• Always remain vigilant while driving
• Pay close attention to your surroundings while driving
• Pedestrians should wear light-colored clothing or reflective clothing
• Pedestrians should avoid walking on the roadway in dark areas
• Pedestrians must assume that approaching motorists cannot see them, especially at night
• Pedestrians should cross roadways in well-lit, designated areas
• Pedestrians should always walk facing traffic

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