A 76-year-old Opelousas man died when he struck by a vehicle while he was walking across La. 742, according to a Louisiana State Police Troop I news release.
The preliminary investigation revealed 48-year-old Carrie Soileau of Port Barre was traveling west on La. 742 in a 2012 Kia Sorento. The pedestrian, Russell Zachary, was walking north across the roadway near Amy Road as Soileau approached. Soileau attempted to steer away from Zachary, but he stumbled and fell into the path of Soileau’s vehicle in the westbound lane.
Zachary suffered fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased at a local hospital. Soileau was not injured in the crash and was wearing her seat belt. Impairment is unknown on the part of the pedestrian and standard toxicology tests are pending. Soileau submitted to a breath test which showed no alcohol present. The investigation is ongoing.