VACHERIE – Shortly before 11 p.m. Friday, Troopers from Louisiana State Police Troop C began investigating a single-vehicle fatality crash involving a pedestrian on Louisiana 20 east of Louisiana 3127 in St. James Parish.

The crash took the life of 35-year-old Joy Best of Vacherie.

The initial investigation by State Police revealed the crash occurred as 32-year-old Phillip Sheppard of Vacherie was driving a 2005 Toyota Corolla westbound on Louisiana 20 and struck Best, who was walking in the westbound lane of travel.

Best sustained severe injuries as a result of the crash and was transported to St. James Hospital where she was pronounced dead.

Sheppard was properly restrained and was not injured in the crash. Sheppard voluntarily submitted to a chemical test and his results indicated he was not impaired.

It is unknown if Best was impaired at the time of the crash. A toxicology sample was taken from her and submitted to the Louisiana State Police Crime Lab for analysis.