Man walking is hit on Airline

Published 12:00 am Tuesday, March 11, 2008

By ROBIN SHANNON

Staff Reporter

LAPLACE – A pedestrian walking in the southbound lanes of Airline Highway in LaPlace was killed early Friday after being hit by two vehicles.

Enoch J. Falterman, 65, of Montz, was pronounced dead on the scene by paramedics and Louisiana state troopers who responded to the 2:05 a.m. accident. Deputies with the St. John Sheriff’s Office also responded to 911 calls.

According to a state police report, Falterman was walking in the right lane of Airline Highway near LA 3217 when he was hit by a 1996 Chevrolet Prism driven by Richard Christoffer, 58, of Reserve. Christoffer told police he did not see Falterman until he had hit him. He said he had immediately pulled to the side of the road to call 911.

While he was making his call, Christoffer said he noticed a dark colored vehi-

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cle approaching the area where Falterman was lying. He said he made attempts to wave the vehicle away from the disabled pedestrian, but the driver of the car ignored the warnings and ran over Falterman.

Christoffer told police the driver of the dark vehicle continued to drive down Airline Highway without stopping.

State Police investigation determined that Christoffer was not speeding or impaired at the time of the accident, and no charges were filed against him.

A toxicology exam is pending to determine whether Falterman was impaired.

Police have no other information pertaining to the unknown dark vehicle involved. Anyone with further information regarding the accident should contact Louisiana State Police Troop B at 504-471-2775. Trooper Christopher LeDoux is the lead investigator.