BATON ROUGE – 19 year old Sarah James of Montz was was fatally struck by an SUV Tuesday, July 16, according to Louisiana State Police.

Baton Rouge Police detectives say James was struck and killed by a 2001 GMC Yukon while trying to cross Nicholson Drive. The crash happened in the 4400 block of Nicholson Drive around 11:39 p.m. Tuesday, July 16. Police say impairment is not suspected on the part of the driver.

A release from St. Charles Parish said James was a graduate of Destrehan High School and a sophomore at LSU studying biological engineering. She was an accomplished young woman, having been chosen as Student of the Year for St. Charles Parish in her senior year. Additionally, she was the president of the school’s National Honor Society, a member of the student council and a member of the tennis team, even serving as captain her senior year. She went on to graduate as salutatorian of her class.

“All of us in St. Charles Parish are lifting the James family up in prayer,” said St. Charles Parish President Larry Cochran. “We should all honor Sarah by doing exactly what she set out to do; to make a positive difference in others’ lives.”

There is a vigil planned at St. Charles United Methodist Church today at 7 p.m. at 1905 Ormond Blvd in Destrehan.

The crash investigation is ongoing.