A Marksville man, who was pacing along the side of La. Highway One, was killed as he was, allegedly, “screaming” at an Avoyelles Parish Sheriff’s Office (APSO) deputy early last Wednesday morning.
The case was investigated by the Louisiana State Police because it was a traffic fatality. The APSO was also investigating the events leading up to the accident.
Killed in the accident was Willie Andrews, age 60, of 710 Highway 1195, Marksville. He was killed instantly when he was struck by a 2002 Pontiac Grand Prix driven by Mike W. Gunnels, age 58, of 292 Highway 1195, Marksville.
Steve Martel, of the APSO, said his department received a phone call at 5:40 a.m. from a person saying a “suspicious” man was walking on the shoulder next to La. Highway 1195 and La. Highway 453.
When Deputy Sgt. Herman Grant Adams arrived he found Andrews on the south bound shoulder of the road walking north. The deputy said Andrews appeared to be in some type of intoxicated state.
When Deputy Adams, allegedly, tried to approach and talk to Andrews, the man began “screaming and hollering” at the deputy and became very aggravated. Andrews, allegedly, told Deputy Adams he was “going to Hickory Hill to kill his sister.”
The deputy called for additional APSO units but before additional units could arrive Andrews, allegedly, stepped on the roadway and was struck by the pickup truck driven by Gunnels.
Gunnels had just left his home going to work and had pulled onto Highway One heading south toward Marksville. Gunnels stated he did not observe Andrews until the impact had occurred. Andrews was wearing dark colored clothing.
Acadian Ambulance was dispatched to the scene at 5:58 a.m., according to Martel, and ambulance personnel tried to revive Andrews. He was pronounced dead at the scene by Avoyelles Parish Coroner Dr. L.J. Mayeux.
Blood alcohol and toxicology tests were taken and are pending.
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