Having said that, how many times have I come up behind DOTD filling potholes with no warnings until you are right up on them. State need to protect their workers with earlier signs of warning.
UPDATE, 2:15 p.m.: An early morning crash claimed the life of a New Iberia man who worked for the state Department of Transportation and Development.
The initial Louisiana State Police investigation revealed that the crash occurred as 25-year-old Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) worker Markell Jenkins was stopped in the northbound lane of state Highway 31 near Greenbriar St. in a dump truck. The vehicle was displaying warning lights while a work crew was conducting road repairs in Iberia Parish.
At the same time, 88-year-old Allen Olivier of St. Martinville was traveling north on LA 31 in a Dodge Ram pickup truck, while 63-year-old DOTD employee Paul V. Featherston was standing behind the dump truck, working on the roadway.
For unknown reasons, Olivier failed to notice the dump truck. Olivier’s vehicle struck Featherston as he stood behind the dump truck, then struck the rear of the dump truck.
The Iberia Parish Coroner’s Office declared Featherston dead at the scene.
Olivier was wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash. He sustained minor injuries and was transported to a local hospital for treatment.
Jenkins was not wearing a seat belt and refused medical attention on scene.
Impairment is not suspected, but a toxicology sample was taken from Olivier and sent to the LSP Crime Lab for analysis. Jenkins voluntarily submitted a breath sample and was not impaired.
This is the third fatal crash during the Independence Day holiday that LSP troopers have investigated.
UPDATE, 11 a.m.: According to Louisiana State Police Troop I, just before 9 a.m. a state Department of Transportation and Development worker stopped to fill potholes on Highway 31 in Iberia Parish. While doing so, a Dodge Ram truck struck the worker on the roadway.
The crash occurred near the intersection of Highway 31 and Greenbriar Street in New Iberia, near the Sam Broussard Trucking yard.
The Iberia Parish coroner pronounced the DOTD worker dead at the scene. The identity of the victim is being held pending notification of next of kin.
The driver of the Dodge truck has been transported to a local hospital. Louisiana State Police say the crash is still under investigation.
Louisiana State Police warns against distracted driving.
PREVIOUS STORY, 9:44 a.m.:
Louisiana State Police is investigating a fatal accident on LA 31 at Greenbriar Street in Iberia Parish.
We have a crew en route and will post more information as it becomes available.
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IBERIA PARISH, La. -
State Police have released the identities of the two men involved in a crash on La. 31 in New Iberia this morning.
Paul Featherston, 63, a DOTD worker, was filling a pothole on the highway when he was struck and killed by a pick-up truck driven by Allen Olivier, 88 of St. Martinville, State Police said. Olivier passed a field sobriety test. He was transported to a local hospital with minor injuries.
The investigation is continuing, a spokesman said.
For unknown reasons, Olivier failed to notice the dump truck stopped in the lane of travel. Olivier’s vehicle struck Featherston as he stood behind the dump truck, then struck the rear of the dump truck, the spokesman said.
Featherston was fatally injured and was pronounced dead on the scene by the Iberia Parish Coroner’s Office.
DOTD issued a statement about Featherston's death.
He was a 24-year service employee, the statement indicates.
"While many of us are preparing to celebrate Independence Day with our loved ones, let us also keep Paul’s family in our thoughts and prayers," the statement reads. "DOTD would like to take this moment to again stress the importance of following safe driving tips during the Independence Day holiday. As motorists, we must all do our part to ensure we are practicing safe driving habits while on the road."
Louisiana State Troopers wish to remind motorists of the importance of driving with caution in roadway construction zones, the spokesman said. Especially during the heavily traveled Independence Day holiday, drivers should slow down when approaching work zones and follow posted speed limits, warning signs, and flagmen directions. Drivers should also be sober, resist distractions and remain aware of their surroundings as there are often workers inside construction zones on our highways. Always remain vigilant and expect the unexpected as workers, work vehicles, or equipment may enter your lane or come to a stop suddenly, the spokesman said.
DOTD worker Markell Jenkins
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TROOP I NEWS RELEASE
July 3, 2017
Highway Construction Worker Killed in Iberia Parish Crash
Iberia Parish – Shortly before 9:00 am, Troopers from Louisiana State Police Troop I responded to a two vehicle fatality crash on LA 31 just north of the city limits of New Iberia. The crash claimed the life of a New Iberia resident who worked for the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD). Unfortunately, this is the third fatal crash during the Independence Day holiday that Troopers have investigated.
The initial investigation by State Police revealed that the crash occurred as 25 year old DOTD worker Markell Jenkins was stopped in the northbound lane of LA 31 near Greenbriar St. in a 1999 International dump truck. The vehicle was displaying warning lights while a work crew was conducting road repairs. At the same time, 88 year old Allen Olivier of St. Martinville was traveling north on LA 31 in a 2013 Dodge Ram pickup truck. 63 year old DOTD employee Paul V. Featherston was standing behind the dump truck working on the roadway. For unknown reasons, Olivier failed to notice the dump truck stopped in the lane of travel. Olivier’s vehicle struck Featherston as he stood behind the dump truck, then struck the rear of the dump truck.
Featherston sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased on the scene by the Iberia Parish Coroner’s Office. Olivier was wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash. He sustained minor injuries and was transported to a local hospital for treatment. Jenkins was not wearing a seat belt and refused medical attention on scene. Impairment is not suspected, but a toxicology sample was taken from Olivier and sent to the Louisiana State Police Crime Lab for analysis. Jenkins voluntarily submitted a breath sample and was not impaired.
Louisiana State Troopers wish to remind motorists of the importance of driving with caution in roadway construction zones. Especially during the heavily traveled Independence Day holiday, drivers should slow down when approaching work zones and follow posted speed limits, warning signs, and flagmen directions. Drivers should also be sober, resist distractions and remain aware of their surroundings as there are often workers inside construction zones on our highways. Always remain vigilant and expect the unexpected as workers, work vehicles, or equipment may enter your lane or come to a stop suddenly.
Contact Information:
M/T Brooks David
Louisiana State Police
Public Affairs Section
Office: (337) 262-5880
brooks.david@la.gov
www.LSP.org