Louisiana Tragedy Unfolds as Pedestrian Is Killed in Hit-and-Run

(St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana) - Louisiana State Police troopers were called out to investigate after a pedestrian was struck by a vehicle, causing that man's death, and the driver of the vehicle then fled the scene, according to investigators.

When Did the Accident Occur?

According to Trooper Shelby Mayfield with the Public Affairs Section of Louisiana State Police, several witnesses were present at the situation on Saturday, March 1.

As investigators pursued the evidence at the scene and spoke to witnesses, they were able to find out that a gold-colored truck hit a pedestrian at around 5 o'clock this morning.

Louisiana State Police Identify The Victim

Mayfield says that 28-year-old Justin Warrent of Clearwater, Florida, was the man who was struck while walking. The man was taken to a hospital and treated, but unfortunately, the man did not survive his severe injuries.

As the investigation proceeded, Mayfield says they worked with descriptions from the witnesses and the Louisiana State Police Fusion Center to determine it was a 2012 Ford F-150. They found that the man who owned the truck was 45-year-old Tyrone Williams.

As a result of the preliminary investigation, Mayfield says their investigators determined that Williams was driving westbound on Louisiana Highway 433, and Williams struck Warrent with the right-front bumper of this truck.

Williams was booked into the St. Tammany Parish Jail on the following charges:

• Negligent Homicide
• Hit and Run
• Driving on the Right Side of the Roadway

Officials say they do not know if impairment played a part in the crash, but routine toxicology tests were taken from Williams to be analyzed by a lab.

What State Police Officials Want Drivers To Remember

Louisiana State Police want to remind all motorists of the following in order to prevent crashes:

• Never allow anything to distract you while driving.
• Each person in a vehicle must be wearing a seat belt.
• Never drive while any substance impairs you.
• Pedestrians and drivers should remain alert to their surroundings.

The crash remains under investigation.

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