A Northwestern State University student remains hospitalized after being struck by a pickup truck while crossing University Parkway near the Watson Library early Feb. 10.
According to the Natchitoches Police Department, officers were dispatched to the 900 block of University Parkway at 6:57 a.m. in reference to a vehicle crash involving a pedestrian.
The department’s initial investigation determined that a 2020 Ford F-150 was traveling east on University Parkway and failed to stop or yield to a pedestrian in the crosswalk near the campus library. Police said the driver remained on scene and was issued a citation.
Family members identified the pedestrian as Sharissa Spears, a current NSU student. According to her family, Spears was crossing the crosswalk after leaving campus to go to work. They said she looked both ways and activated the crosswalk signal before stepping into the roadway.
A relative said Spears remembers little after entering the crosswalk, recalling only waking up in the middle of the road surrounded by bystanders. The family reported that she was struck and thrown approximately 60 feet.
Spears sustained multiple serious injuries, including fractured facial bones, broken ribs, a broken arm and other injuries requiring surgery. She was transported to LSU in Shreveport, where police said she is listed in stable/critical condition. Her family said she is currently recovering in the intensive care unit.
Describing her as careful and responsible, family members said they were compelled to speak out on Feb. 12 when they reached out to the NPJ after learning there had been no public coverage of the incident in the days following the crash. They hope sharing her story will raise awareness about pedestrian safety near campus crosswalks.
In a statement, the Natchitoches Police Department reminded motorists of Louisiana law regarding crosswalks. State law requires drivers approaching a yield sign to slow to a reasonable speed or stop if necessary before entering a crosswalk and to yield the right-of-way to any pedestrian legally crossing the roadway.
