Pedestrian struck by CPSO unit
An Iowa, La., man died after being struck by a unit driven by an on-duty Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s deputy Monday morning, State Police said.
Just after 5 a.m., Jessie J. Blanchard, 31, was walking near the center line in the eastbound lane of La. 3020 near Goodman Road, according to Thomas Grossman with Troop I public affairs. He was struck by a fully-marked 2018 Ford Explorer driven by Craig Guillory Jr., 23, of Lake Charles, who was travelling eastbound.
Blanchard, who was wearing dark-colored clothing, was seriously injured and taken to Lake Charles Memorial Hospital, where he later died. Guillory was wearing a seatbelt and was not injured.
Results from toxicology tests are pending on Blanchard and Guillory. Impairment is not suspected on Guillory.
Heavy fog may have been a factor in the crash, which remains under investigation, Grossman said.