Broussard Police have identified the victim struck and killed by a train this morning at S. Bernard Road in Broussard.
The victim, identified as 36-year-old Ryan Richard of Youngsville, was struck and killed on Wednesday morning hours after police say he crashed his 2012 Grey Jeep Cherokee into a ditch along Hwy 90 in Broussard.
Police say they responded to reports of a single-vehicle crash at around 1:45 am along Hwy 90 in Broussard. A vehicle was located by police on its side in a ditch, but no driver was found. After a search of the area, police say they found evidence suggesting that the driver had crawled out of a passenger side window and fled the scene.
At 4:25 am, police responded to the same area on reports that a pedestrian had been struck and killed by a train. Richard was identified as the victim. After further investigation, it was found that Richard was the owner and driver of the Jeep Cherokee involved in the earlier crash.
Police say it is unknown as to why Richard was on the tracks.
Alcohol is suspected to be a factor in the incident. Toxicology results are pending. The Broussard Police Department and BNSF officials are investigating.
KATC’s Abby Breidenbach was LIVE this morning at the scene of the incident:
