Reddell woman struck in fatal crash

A Reddell woman, who was walking on Highway 13 Friday morning is dead after being struck by a vehicle near Reddell.
Shortly after 6 a.m. Friday morning, Louisiana State Police Troop I responded to a report of a motor vehicle crash involving a pedestrian north of Mamou on LA Highway 13 in Evangeline Parish. The preliminary investigation revealed 53 year old Joseph Deshotel of Mamou was operating a 2005 Ford F-250 southbound on LA Highway 13. As Deshotel approached Johnson Street, his vehicle struck 55 year old Terry Trumps of Reddell in the southbound lane of LA Highway 13. At the time of the crash, it was still dark and Trumps was wearing dark clothing.
Trumps was pronounced dead at the scene by the Evangeline Parish Coroner’s Office. Deshotel was wearing a seat belt and was unhurt.
Deshotel submitted to a chemical breath test and was not impaired at the time of the crash. Toxicology samples were taken from Trumps and submitted to the Louisiana State Police Crime Lab for analysis. The crash remains under investigation.
A majority of pedestrian fatalities, nearly 70 percent, occur at night. Pedestrians are encouraged to walk facing traffic, use a sidewalk or highway shoulder when available, wear light colored clothing with reflective materials, and to carry a flashlight at night. Additional pedestrian safety information may be found online at www.walkinginfo.org.
In 2015, Troop I has investigated 17 fatal crashes resulting in 17 deaths.