East Baton Rouge Parish (10/6/2023) – On October 5, 2023, shortly after 3:15 p.m., Louisiana State Police Troop A responded to a single-vehicle crash involving a pedestrian on Interstate 12 near O’Neal Lane in Baton Rouge. The crash claimed the life of 40-year-old Douglas Dupre of Baton Rouge.
The preliminary investigation revealed a 2016 Chevrolet heavy-duty pickup was traveling east in the center lane of I-12. At the same time, Dupre walked into the roadway, entered the path of the Chevrolet, and was struck in the lane of travel. Dupre suffered fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the pickup was not injured.
Impairment on the part of Dupre is unknown, and a standard toxicology sample was obtained for analysis. The driver of the Chevrolet was not suspected of being impaired and submitted a blood sample for testing. Toxicology results are pending, and this crash remains under investigation.
While nearly 70 percent of pedestrian fatalities usually occur at night, troopers urge pedestrians to always maintain heightened awareness while walking near the road. Simple precautions such as wearing reflective materials, avoiding distractions, not walking too close to roadways, and walking against traffic flow could prevent most pedestrian-related crashes.
