A two-vehicle crash involving a bicyclist on U.S. Route 61 near Belle Terre Boulevard claimed the life of a 61-year-old man from Laplace on Friday.

Troopers from the Louisiana State Police Troop B identified the man as John Howard. The crash incident occurred around 7:30 p.m. when authorities responded to reports of a crash involving a bicycle. Initial investigations show that a 2016 Ford F-150 pickup was traveling south on US-61 in the right lane.

While Howard, for unknown reasons, attempted to cross US-61 on his bicycle. He had crossed the northbound lanes of US-61 and the left southbound lane before entering the right southbound lane, directly into the path of the Ford. The truck hit Howard, seriously injuring the 61-year-old. He was taken to a hospital, where he later died.

The driver of the Ford was properly restrained and uninjured. While troopers do not suspect impairment of the driver, a voluntary blood sample was taken and will be analyzed as part of the investigation. The crash remains under investigation.

Troopers want to remind bicyclists that Louisiana law classifies bicycles as vehicles, meaning cyclists must adhere to the same traffic laws as motorists. Never assume that a motorist can see you, and remember it’s important to stay visible by using appropriate lighting and wearing bright or reflective clothing in low-light conditions.