On Thursday at approximately 10:55 p.m., Louisiana State Troopers from Troop L began investigating a fatal crash involving a bicycle on Louisiana Highway 1077 southbound at mile post 5.7 near Gayle Road in Covington. The crash claimed the life of Colby Garrett of Franklinton.

Preliminary investigation revealed that a bicycle, operated by Garrett was traveling northbound in the southbound lane of Highway 1077 near U.S. Highway 190, and a 2007 Jeep Wrangler, operated by Beau Turner of Mandeville, was traveling southbound on Highway 1077. Garrett apparently traveled into the path of Turner, and the front of the bicycle struck the right front of the Jeep. Garrett was ejected, struck the Jeep’s windshield and came to rest off of the roadway to the right.

Garrett, who was not wearing an approved bicycle helmet, received life-threatening injuries and was pronounced dead on the scene by the St. Tammany Parish Coroner’s Office. Turner was properly restrained and not injured and voluntarily submitted a breath sample indicating no alcohol was in his system. Impairment is not suspected on Garrett’s part, however toxicological samples were collected for analysis. Those results are pending as this crash remains under investigation.

Louisiana State Police urge motorists to remain vigilant while behind the wheel, always avoid distractions, have a plan in place that includes a designated driver when consuming alcohol and always buckle up. Louisiana traffic laws apply to bicyclists, and Louisiana Revised Statute 32:194 specifically states that every person riding a bicycle upon a highway of this state shall be granted all of the rights and shall be subject to all the duties applicable to the driver of a vehicle. Bicyclists should always wear reflective clothing, ride with traffic, wear a helmet and ensure that reflectors are affixed to the bicycle so they can be seen by motorists who are approaching.