Bogalusa woman, 37, dies after being hit by 2 cars in Mandeville
Published 4:18 am Wednesday, January 9, 2019
A Bogalusa woman was killed on Saturday when she was struck by two vehicles while walking in Mandeville, according to information from the Louisiana State Police.
The victim was identified Monday as Cassandra McClain, 37, according to officials with the St. Tammany Parish Coroner’s Office.
LSP officials said that McClain was walking along U.S. Highway 190 around dusk Saturday when she was struck by two vehicles. She was not carrying any identification or a cell phone.
Authorities sent out a press release urging the public’s help to identify the victim, and several tips led to the confirmation that it was McClain.
LSP Trooper Dustin Dwight stated that at approximately 5:40 p.m. on Saturday, troopers from LSP Troop L responded to a fatal pedestrian crash on Highway 190 at the Bayou Castine Bridge in St. Tammany Parish.
The initial investigation led troopers to determine that the crash occurred as a pedestrian, later identified as McClain, was wearing dark clothing and was walking in the eastbound lane of Highway 190 on the Bayou Castine Bridge, Dwight said. The bridge has high concrete guardrails and no shoulders. McClain was struck by a 2005 Kia Amanti, driven by Melvin Ruiz, 37, of Mandeville.
Following the collision, McClain landed in the center of the eastbound lane and was struck by a 2011 BMW 528, which had been traveling directly behind the Kia Amanti, Dwight said. The BMW was driven by Emily Anne Jeanfreau, 17, of Mandeville.
McClain was transported to Lakeview Regional Medical Center by St. Tammany Fire District 4. She was pronounced deceased shortly after arriving at the hospital, Dwight said.
“Witness statements obtained by investigating troopers stated that the pedestrian was staggering and was in the roadway when struck by the Kia Amanti,” he said. “Both drivers and their passengers were properly restrained and were uninjured. Both drivers submitted breath samples, which showed no amount of alcohol present.”
Dwight noted that as part of the ongoing investigation, a toxicological analysis would be performed.