It is with deep sorrow that the community of Chauvin is mourning the sudden and tragic loss of 41-year-old Chandra Puckett, who died early Friday morning, April 17, after being struck in a fatal pedestrian crash. Her unexpected passing has left family, friends, and neighbors in shock as they struggle to process the heartbreaking news.
According to Louisiana State Police, the crash occurred shortly before 3 a.m. on Louisiana Highway 56 in Chauvin. Investigators said a 2024 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter van was traveling northbound when, for reasons still under investigation, it struck Puckett, who was standing in the northbound lane of the roadway.
Troopers reported that Puckett suffered fatal injuries in the impact and was pronounced dead at the scene. Emergency responders arrived quickly and attempted to provide assistance, but officials said the severity of the crash left no opportunity for life-saving measures.
Authorities confirmed that the driver of the Sprinter van was not injured and remained at the scene following the crash. The driver showed no signs of impairment and voluntarily submitted a breath sample, which tested negative for alcohol. As part of standard procedure, investigators also collected a toxicology sample from Puckett for further analysis.
The roadway was partially impacted while troopers documented the scene, gathered evidence, and began reconstructing the events leading up to the collision. Police emphasized that many questions remain unanswered, and the circumstances that placed Puckett in the roadway are still unclear.
As the investigation continues, the Chauvin community is left grieving a sudden and devastating loss. Chandra Puckett is being remembered by loved ones as someone deeply connected to those around her, and her passing has left an emotional void that will be felt for a long time as family and friends hold onto her memory.