Hammond, LA (9/19/2023) – Louisiana State Police (LSP) reported a pedestrian was killed in a Tangipahoa Parish crash.
Shortly after 7:30 a.m. this morning, Troopers from LSP Troop L began investigating a fatal crash involving a pedestrian on Interstate 12 near Pumpkin Center Road in Tangipahoa Parish. The crash claimed the life of 34-year-old Javier Morel of Denham Springs.
The initial investigation led Troopers to determine that two separate crashes occurred in the same general location along Interstate 12 eastbound. The first crash occurred as a 2004 Ford Escape, driven by Morel, was eastbound on Interstate 12. The Ford traveled off the roadway and struck multiple trees for reasons still under investigation. There were two juvenile passengers in the Ford. Both juveniles and Morel were ejected from the vehicle. The juveniles sustained non-life-threatening injuries due to the crash and were transported to a local hospital for further care and assessment.
After the initial crash and before emergency personnel arrived on the scene, Morel walked away from the original crash and into the right lane of Interstate 12 eastbound. At the same time, a 2019 Kenworth T880 was eastbound in the right lane of Interstate 12. For reasons still under investigation, the Kenworth struck Morel.
Morel sustained fatal injuries as a result of the second crash. He was pronounced deceased on the scene. The driver of the Kenworth was properly restrained and was not injured. As part of the ongoing investigation, routine toxicology samples were obtained from Morel and the Kenworth driver for analysis. This crash remains under investigation.
National Child Passenger Safety Week
This week is National Child Passenger Safety Week, and this Saturday, September 23, 2023, is National Seat Check Saturday.
During Child Passenger Safety Week, many communities will have certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians on hand to provide free education on properly using car seats, booster seats, and seat belts. It is a proven fact that child restraints save lives. Our team can teach you how to select the proper child restraint to ensure that your child is placed into the restraint properly and that the restraint is correctly installed in your vehicle. Everyone who participates in a Child Safety Seat Installation Program will receive one-on-one instruction from a nationally certified Child Passenger Safety Technician (CPST) or instructor.
Make plans to stop by one of the nine state locations conducting free child car seat checks. No appointment is necessary. For location information, please see the attached graphic.
