Shawn Maris Obituary, Death – A fatal accident involving a bicyclist and a pickup truck occurred on U.S. 90 in Jeff Davis Parish on Sunday. The victim, 49-year-old Shawn Maris from Mermentau, was cycling eastbound near Triangle Shell Road around 9 p.m. According to Louisiana State Police Troop D spokesperson Matt Gaspard, Maris made a left turn directly in front of a GMC Sierra, also traveling east, and the truck driver could not avoid colliding with him.
As a result of the collision, Maris was thrown off his bicycle and was pronounced dead at the scene. Trooper Gaspard noted that Maris was not wearing a helmet at the time of the crash, and his bicycle lacked reflectors and lights, which are crucial for visibility, especially at night.
The driver of the pickup truck, who was wearing a seatbelt, was not injured in the incident. The cause of the crash is still under investigation, and as part of standard procedure, toxicology tests have been conducted to determine if impairment was a factor.
Louisiana State Police Troop D emphasizes the importance of safety measures for bicyclists, reminding them to adhere to the same traffic rules as motorists. Troopers stress that wearing an approved helmet can significantly improve a cyclist’s chances of survival in the event of a crash. They also recommend using lights and reflectors to enhance visibility, particularly during nighttime riding, to help prevent such tragic accidents.
The investigation is ongoing, and authorities are working to understand all the factors that contributed to this unfortunate incident.