By ROBIN SHANNON

L’Observateur

LAPLACE – A LaPlace man trying to cross Airline Highway Saturday night was struck and killed by four vehicles in a hit-and-run accident in LaPlace, according to a release from State Police.

Patrick H. Toney, 59, was trying to cross the highway on foot near the Belle Terre Boulevard intersection around 9:40 p.m., said Trooper Melissa Matey, spokesperson for State Police Troop B.

Matey said Toney was in the center turning lane of Airline Highway when he stumbled backward into the left eastbound lane. He was then stuck by a dark-colored SUV and a Dodge Neon. Neither vehicle stopped following the impact and both fled the scene traveling eastbound on Airline.

Toney was then thrown into the left westbound lane of Airline, where he was hit by a Hyundai Elantra and a Nissan Altima. Matey said both the driver of the Nissan and the driver of the Hyundai stopped to offer aid.

Toney was pronounced dead on the scene by the St. John the Baptist Parish Coroner’s Office. Matey said driver impairment is not a factor on the part of the drivers of the Hyundai and Nissan, but impairment is suspected on the part of the pedestrian. She said a toxicology report is still pending.

Matey said investigators are asking for assistance in identifying the dark-colored SUV or the Dodge Neon. Anyone with information of the vehicles or the drivers should contact State Police Troop B at 504-471-2775. The crash is still under investigation.