By Stephen Hemelt
L’Observateur

LAPLACE — A local man who was killed while walking along Airline Highway in LaPlace was struck by a passing vehicle while walking in the lane of travel, state police said.

Authorities were notified of the fatal crash on Airline Highway at Tiffany Drive shortly before 9 p.m. Saturday. It claimed the life of a pedestrian, identified as 63-year-old David Curtis of LaPlace.

Evidence from the scene suggests Curtis was walking in the road before impact, Troop B Spokeswoman Melissa Matey said, adding no warrants or citations were issued and the investigation is ongoing.

“Darrell Edwards, 36, of LaPlace was driving a 2012 Chevrolet Impala in the right lane of U.S. 61 north,” Matey said. “The Impala struck Curtis in the right lane, and he was pronounced dead on the scene.”

Impairment and speed are not considered crash factors. Matey said Edwards submitted a blood test, and results are pending. Toxicology results for Curtis are pending an autopsy.

Authorities have not released if the clothing Curtis was wearing was dark or at what point the motorist realized the victim was in the roadway prior to impact. Matey said the initial evidence collected indicates Curtis was at fault in the collision because pedestrians are not allowed to walk in the lane of travel.

A final wreck determination might not come until late November.

“It usually takes us anywhere between six to eight weeks to complete a fatality report, because reconstruction and total station — which is a two-scale drawing — and things like that,” Matey said.