Local man dies after bike hit by truck

Published 6:00 am Monday, November 5, 2018

ST. MARTINVILLE — A New Iberia man was killed in a crash while he was riding  bicycle Saturday night in St. Martin Parish. 

According to Louisiana State Police Troop I, troopers arrived at the scene of a crash between a vehicle and the bicyclist on Louisiana 31 south of Louisiana 92. The wreck claimed the life of 37-year-old John Trueblood of New Iberia.

The initial investigation by State Police revealed Trueblood was traveling south on a bicycle in the lane of travel of Louisiana 31. At the same time, 62-year-old Mark Broussard of New Iberia was driving southbound in a 2009 Chevrolet Silverado. 

Trueblood was on a bicycle equipped with one reflector, but no lights, troopers said. As Broussard approached Trueblood from the rear, he was unable to avoid the bicycle and the Chevrolet struck the rear of the bicycle, ejecting Trueblood.

Trueblood was pronounced dead at the scene by the St. Martin Parish Coroner’s Office. A toxicology sample was obtained from Trueblood, and the results are pending, State Police said. 

Broussard was uninjured, and impairment on his part was not a factor in the crash, State Police said. A breath sample obtained from Broussard indicated no alcohol in his system. This crash remains under investigation.

“Bicyclists should never assume that motorists can see them,” LSP said. “Louisiana Revised Statute 32:329.1 states that bicyclists cannot ride on a state highway, parish road or city street between sunset and sunrise unless their bicycle is equipped with lamps and reflectors.”