Tickfaw man walking on highway in St. Helena Parish struck, killed by car
BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) — A Tickfaw man was struck and killed in the early hours of March 19, while walking along LA 16 near Leonard Chapel Road.
Troopers responded to the scene around 4:40 a.m. and learned that a 2017 Dodge Charger, traveling east, struck Chad A. Ribando, 43, who was walking in the road. The reason for the collision remains under investigation.
State police said that Ribando was wearing dark clothes and died at the scene. The driver of the Dodge, who was wearing a seatbelt, was not injured.
As part of standard procedure, toxicology samples were collected from both Ribando and the driver for analysis. Authorities continue to investigate the crash.
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'Pedestrian crashes are often preventable with basic safety measures. Pedestrians should wear light-colored or reflective clothing and avoid walking on roadways in dark or unlit areas. Always assume that drivers may not see you, especially at night,' Louisiana State Police said. 'To stay safe, pedestrians should walk facing traffic and cross roadways only in well-lit, designated areas. These simple precautions can help prevent tragic incidents and enhance safety on Louisiana roadways.'
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