Bridge City, LA — A hit-and-run crash on Louisiana Highway 18 killed a bicyclist early Wednesday, prompting an active investigation by Louisiana State Police.
According to Louisiana State Police Troop B, the crash happened shortly before 5 a.m. Wednesday, March 11, near Ucht Beach Drive along LA Highway 18 (Seven Oaks Boulevard) in Jefferson Parish.
Investigators said Douglas Pritchett, 46, of Bridge City, was riding a bicycle west in the eastbound travel lanes of Highway 18 at the time of the crash. As Pritchett approached Ucht Beach Drive, an unknown vehicle traveling east allegedly struck him, causing him to fall from the bicycle.
State police said the unknown driver allegedly left the scene after the initial collision.
Moments later, an eastbound 2000 Chevrolet S-10 also struck Pritchett as he lay in the roadway. Authorities said the driver of the pickup truck was not injured in the crash.
Pritchett sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.
During the investigation, troopers determined the bicycle did not have visible lights at the time of the crash. Authorities also said the driver of the Chevrolet S-10 was not suspected of impairment and voluntarily provided a breath sample that detected no alcohol.
Troopers continue working to determine the make and model of the vehicle involved in the alleged hit-and-run and to identify the driver who left the scene.
Anyone with information about the crash is urged to contact Louisiana State Police Troop B at (504) 471-2775. Anonymous tips can also be submitted through lsp.org by selecting the “Report Suspicious or Criminal Activity” link.
The investigation remains ongoing.
One neutral note: early-morning highway crashes can affect commuters traveling into Jefferson Parish and nearby river communities.
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