A 42-year-old Marrero father died this week after he was hit by a pickup truck on Jean Lafitte Boulevard, a late-night crash that has left relatives and neighbors grasping for answers. Deputies found the man lying in the westbound lanes Sunday night, and he was rushed to a New Orleans hospital, where he later died. Jefferson Parish authorities say the case is still under active investigation.
What happened
The Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office responded around 10:45 p.m. Sunday to the 3700 block of Jean Lafitte Boulevard, where deputies discovered a man in the roadway with serious crash-related injuries, according to WDSU. Investigators found a Toyota pickup pointed east in the westbound lane and said the driver stayed at the scene and cooperated with deputies. The victim was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment; he died on Tuesday, WDSU reported.
Victim identified
Jefferson Parish coroner records identified the victim as 42-year-old Chad Williams of Marrero, according to NOLA.com. Family members told NOLA.com that Williams was “a loving man” and “a good father.” Neighbors described him as a familiar face in the tight-knit West Bank community, someone people were used to seeing around the neighborhood.
Investigation underway
Deputies said the driver was heading east and rounding a curve when he encountered the pedestrian, and that evidence at the scene suggested the driver tried to take evasive action before impact. According to investigators, the driver voluntarily submitted to toxicology testing, though results were not immediately available. As of the latest update, no charges had been announced, officials told WDSU.
Next steps
Authorities say they will continue reviewing physical evidence and completing lab work as the investigation moves forward. The sheriff's office has asked anyone who may have seen or heard anything to contact detectives. In the meantime, a West Bank family is left to mourn a father while investigators work to figure out exactly how a Sunday night on Jean Lafitte Boulevard turned deadly.
