By ROBIN SHANNON

L’Observateur

LAPLACE – A 53-year-old Reserve man was killed Sunday evening when his bicycle was struck by a car along Airline Highway near the Marathon Oil Refinery in Garyville, according to State police.

Trooper Melissa Matey, spokesperson for State Police Troop B, said Bruce Edwards was riding his bike south on Marathon Road and crossing Airline Highway when he was struck by a 2006 Cadillac STS traveling eastbound on Airline Highway in the left lane at about 11:50 p.m. Sunday.

Matey said the left front corner of the Cadillac, driven by Roosevelt Thompson, 46, of Slidell, struck the bicycle and knocked Edwards off of it. Edwards was pronounced dead on the scene.  

Matey said Thompson submitted to a breathalyzer test, which revealed no detectable alcohol in his system. She said speed is also not suspected as a factor in the crash, which remains under investigation.

“Bicyclists should always be aware of their surroundings and make sure to cross intersections and streets when it is safe to do so, “Matey said. “Bicyclists are reminded that when traveling on roadways they must obey all traffic laws.”