Luling woman killed by motorist
Published 12:00 am Wednesday, November 13, 2013
By David Vitrano
L’Observateur
BOUTTE – A pedestrian was killed Friday evening in St. Charles Parish on Louisiana Highway 631 near Paul Maillard Road.
Shortly before 6 p.m., Louisiana State Police Troop B was called out to investigate the accident, which left Shantrelle Dunmiles, 32, of Luling dead.
Preliminary investigation revealed that a 2010 Dodge Ram, driven by Nakita Thomas, 59, of Silsbee, Texas, was traveling on Highway 631 east and began to pass the vehicle in front of him. As Thomas entered the westbound lane to overtake the other vehicle, the Ram struck Dunmiles, who was walking east on the edge of the westbound lanes of Highway 631. Dunmiles died on the scene.
Thomas submitted to a chemical test and the results are pending.
The crash remains under investigation.
Troopers urge both motorists and pedestrians to remain vigilant while on area roadways and pay close attention to their surroundings. Louisiana State Law requires pedestrians to utilize sidewalks where accessible or walk along the left shoulder as far away from the roadway as possible. Pedestrians should walk against the flow of traffic, wear light colored clothing and stay out of travel lanes at all times.