A 26-year-old Tangipahoa Parish man was killed late Saturday night after being hit by a vehicle while trying to cross Interstate 55 near Tickfaw, according to state troopers. Authorities later identified the victim as Austin B. Gentry of Independence.
Louisiana State Police told WAFB that troopers responded around 11 p.m. on March 28 to I-55 just south of LA 442. A preliminary investigation found that Gentry had been involved in an earlier crash on the southbound side of the interstate, then exited his vehicle and attempted to cross the northbound lanes. As he crossed, he was struck by a northbound Toyota Corolla. Troopers said he was wearing dark-colored clothing in an unlit stretch of roadway and was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the Corolla was not injured.
How Troopers Say The Crash Unfolded
State police described a chaotic sequence that started with the initial collision on the southbound side of I-55. After that first wreck, investigators say Gentry left his vehicle and moved into the opposing travel lanes, where the northbound Corolla hit him. Troopers stressed that their findings are still preliminary as they work to piece together exactly what led to both the first crash and the fatal impact that followed.
Nighttime Risk And National Context
Crashes like this one are not uncommon after dark, when visibility plummets and high-speed roads become particularly unforgiving for anyone on foot. Researchers note that pedestrian incidents are far more likely at night and in areas without sidewalks. According to the Governors Highway Safety Association, more than three-quarters of pedestrian fatalities in the United States occur after dark, and pedestrian deaths have reached into the thousands in recent years, underscoring how vulnerable people are when they step onto high-speed highways.
Investigation Ongoing
Troopers said their investigation into the March 28 incident is ongoing and again cautioned that their account of the crash remains preliminary. Louisiana State Police have not reported any injuries to the driver of the Corolla and have not announced any charges, according to WAFB.
