Truck driver David P. Watford was walking down U.S. Highway 65 in Lousiana on Wednesday night when he was struck and killed by a Louisiana State Police Trooper’s SUV.
State Troopers were responding to a call about an abandoned 18-wheeler on the highway, just 6 miles north of Tallulah in Madison Parish. After finding the abandoned truck, troopers set out to search for the driver.
Ironically, the 47-year-old was hit and killed by the very trooper who was searching for him, around midnight. Watford had been walking southbound on Highway 65, facing traffic. According to to KNOE, It’s a rural highway with little lighting and Watford was wearing blue jeans and a camouflage top.
There was also plenty of shoulder space to walk on. The reason the truck was abandoned is currently unknown.
The driver of the police vehicle was wearing a seat belt and was not hurt in the crash. Watford was not suspected to be impaired, although toxicology results are pending.