Pedestrian Killed at Dollar General on Country Club Road | Lake Charles | Feb. 4, 2026

Editorial & Legal Accuracy Notice (Louisiana)

This blog contains general legal and safety information and is not legal advice. Laws and deadlines can change, and outcomes depend on specific facts.

Last reviewed / updated: February 25, 2026

Reviewed, updated, and authored by: Stephen Babcock, Louisiana trial lawyer

Facts our law firm has been able to confirm about this accident:

Summary

Lake Charles Police reported that a pedestrian was struck by a vehicle in the Dollar General parking lot on Country Club Road on February 4, 2026, and the pedestrian died at the scene.^{[^1]} Later updates identified the pedestrian as Zenna Fontenot Dewitt and stated the investigation is ongoing.^{[^2][^3]}

What we know so far

• A pedestrian was reported fatally struck in the Dollar General parking lot on Country Club Road in Lake Charles on February 4, 2026.^{[^1][^2][^3]}
• The pedestrian was identified in public reports as Zenna Fontenot Dewitt of Lake Charles.^{[^2][^3]}
• Police said a 2017 Chevrolet Trailblazer ran off/left the roadway and entered the parking lot, striking Dewitt as she walked to her vehicle.^{[^2][^3]}
• KPLC reported the vehicle also struck some vehicles in the parking lot.^{[^1]}
• Police stated the crash remains under investigation and asked anyone with information to call 337-491-1311 or use the LCPD app.^{[^2][^3]}

What’s still being investigated / not confirmed

• Public reporting has not yet explained why the vehicle left the roadway; LCPD has stated the investigation is ongoing.^{[^2][^3]}
• Any contributing factors (for example, distraction, impairment, or a medical event) have not been released in the public updates we reviewed; the crash is still under investigation.^{[^2][^3]}
• Public updates have not described whether any citations or criminal charges will be pursued; reporting emphasizes the investigation is continuing.^{[^2][^3]}
• The extent of damage to other parked vehicles (beyond the report that some were struck) has not been detailed in the initial coverage we reviewed.^{[^1]}

Where this happened

The location was reported as the Dollar General on Country Club Road in Lake Charles, with later coverage describing the area as the corner of Country Club and Weaver roads.^{[^2]}

Official agencies involved & how crash reports typically work in Louisiana

Public reporting states the Lake Charles Police Department (LCPD) Traffic Division is investigating this crash.^{[^2][^3]}

In Louisiana, state law requires drivers involved in certain crashes to notify law enforcement. As of February 22, 2026, La. R.S. 32:398 states that when a crash results in injury or death, or when property damage exceeds $500, the driver must immediately give notice to the local police department if the crash occurs within an incorporated city or town (or to the sheriff/state police if outside city limits).^{[^8]} This reporting requirement can be amended, and the details may depend on the facts and location, so it’s important to confirm the current rule for your situation.

How you obtain a crash report in Louisiana depends on which agency investigated the crash (city police, sheriff’s office, or Louisiana State Police). The City of Lake Charles states that Lake Charles crash reports are released to people involved (or their insurance company), and it lists common request requirements and fees (including a posted $7.50 cost and request instructions).^{[^4]} Procedures and fees can change, so check the most current agency instructions before submitting a request.

The City of Lake Charles also notes that Lake Charles crash reports are available online (for reports from January 1, 2006 to present) through a LexisNexis crash report portal and provides basic directions on selecting the jurisdiction.^{[^5]}

For crashes investigated by Louisiana State Police, Louisiana’s statewide crash report portal indicates there can be processing time before a report is available and also states fatal crash reports are not available online.^{[^7]} Louisiana State Police likewise states that fatal crashes can only be purchased in person at troop offices (for LSP-investigated crashes).^{[^6]}

Background about these types of accidents

Pedestrian crashes are often catastrophic because the person walking has little physical protection. Nationally, NHTSA reports that in 2023, 7,314 pedestrians were killed and more than 68,000 pedestrians were injured in traffic crashes, and it notes that pedestrian fatalities have increased over the past decade.^{[^14]} IIHS also reports 7,314 pedestrian deaths in 2023 and notes pedestrians accounted for a significant share of crash fatalities.^{[^15]}

Risk factors can vary by location and crash type. CDC highlights major risk factors such as speed, location, vehicle size, and alcohol, while emphasizing that pedestrian injuries and deaths are preventable.^{[^16]}

Parking lots and store entrances can be especially complex environments because vehicles are turning, backing, and moving through areas with foot traffic. NHTSA encourages drivers to be extra cautious when backing up across sidewalks or in parking lots.^{[^17]}

Steps that can help after a suspected hit-and-run

The following is general safety and documentation guidance (not medical or legal advice). If there is an emergency or someone is seriously hurt, call 911.

• Get to a safer location if you can do so without increasing risk (for example, away from moving vehicles).
• Call 911 and report what happened. In Louisiana, crashes involving injury or death are generally reportable to law enforcement.^{[^8]}
• If the driver left, write down (or record) what you can remember: vehicle color, make/model, partial plate, direction of travel, and a driver description.
• Ask witnesses for names and contact information, and note nearby cameras (businesses, intersections, doorbells).
• Preserve evidence: photos of the scene, lighting, signage, and your injuries (if any), and keep copies of receipts and medical paperwork.
• Follow medical professionals’ instructions. If symptoms worsen, seek urgent care or emergency attention.
• Request the official crash report from the investigating agency when available (process varies by agency).^{[^4][^5]}

Legal information after a crash in Louisiana

Important: The information below is general Louisiana legal information, not legal advice. Deadlines and fault rules can change with new legislation, and exceptions can apply based on specific facts.

Time limits can be strict (and can change)

As of February 22, 2026, Louisiana Civil Code article 3493.11 provides a two-year prescriptive period for many delictual actions (a category that includes many negligence-based injury claims) and describes when that period begins and how it can be interrupted.^{[^9]} Because laws and court interpretations can change, and different rules can apply in special situations, it’s important to confirm the current deadline that applies to your case.

For cases involving a death, Louisiana’s wrongful death and survival action statutes provide specific rules. As of February 22, 2026, Civil Code article 2315.1 (survival action) and article 2315.2 (wrongful death) describe who may bring these claims and include prescriptive rules that generally refer to one year from the death of the deceased or two years from the day the injury is sustained, whichever is longer (with some exceptions, including for medical malpractice noted in the statutes).^{[^10][^11]} These statutes can be amended, and the correct application depends on the facts, so confirm current law before relying on any deadline.

Louisiana’s comparative fault rule (how fault can affect recovery)

As of February 22, 2026, Louisiana Civil Code article 2323 sets out comparative fault rules. It provides that if the person suffering injury, death, or loss is found 51% or more at fault, that person is not entitled to recover damages; if the person’s fault is less than 51%, damages are reduced proportionally. The statute also notes it was amended by Acts 2025, No. 15, effective January 1, 2026.^{[^12]} Because fault rules can be amended and their application can depend on timing and case-specific facts, confirm the current rule that applies to your situation.

Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage can matter in serious crashes

Louisiana’s uninsured motorist statute (La. R.S. 22:1295) governs how UM/UIM coverage is offered and structured in many auto policies in the state, including rules about providing coverage and rejecting or selecting limits.^{[^13]} Insurance law and policy language can change, and coverage depends on the specific policy and facts, so do not assume coverage applies without reviewing the policy and current law.

How these rules may apply here (based on what’s confirmed so far)

Based on public reporting, this was a fatal pedestrian crash in a retail parking lot setting, and LCPD has stated the case remains under investigation.^{[^2][^3]} In situations like this, families often have immediate practical questions about evidence (witnesses, photographs, possible surveillance video) and about obtaining the official crash report from the investigating agency when it becomes available.^{[^4][^5]}

Because the crash date reported in local coverage is February 4, 2026, and Louisiana’s modified comparative fault rule in Civil Code article 2323 is listed as effective January 1, 2026, the timing of these legal changes may be relevant to how a civil claim is evaluated.^{[^12][^2]} How the law applies depends on the specific evidence and legal posture of the case, and the safest course is to get case-specific advice from a Louisiana attorney.

Finally, because this incident was reported as a fatality, families may hear the terms “wrongful death” and “survival action.” Louisiana’s Civil Code provides specific frameworks for these claims and who can bring them.^{[^10][^11]} Deadlines and eligibility can be fact-dependent, so it’s important to confirm how the statutes apply to your family’s situation.

How we can help

If you or your family were affected by this crash in Lake Charles, Babcock Injury Lawyers can help you understand what information typically matters early, how to request and review available reports, and how a claim is evaluated under Louisiana law and the insurance policies involved. We can also help with practical next steps like identifying potential sources of evidence and communicating with insurers. We do not promise outcomes, and every case depends on its specific facts.

About the author

Stephen Babcock is a Louisiana trial lawyer with Babcock Injury Lawyers. He represents people and families after serious accidents, including cases involving catastrophic injury and wrongful death. (For background and experience, see the author link at the top of this page.)

How this article was prepared

Date of research: February 22, 2026.

What we reviewed: We reviewed local reporting describing the incident and the public statements attributed to Lake Charles Police officials, including coverage from KPLC and the American Press. We also reviewed official Louisiana sources for general procedures and legal rules, including City of Lake Charles guidance on requesting crash reports, Louisiana State Police information on statewide crash report availability, and Louisiana Legislature pages for relevant statutes cited in the legal-information section.

Our update commitment: This page is written to clearly separate confirmed facts from developing information. We will update this article if additional official details are released by investigating authorities or confirmed by credible reporting.

Sources & further reading

Primary/Official

• Louisiana State Legislature — Civil Code art. 2323 (Comparative fault)^{[^12]}
• Louisiana State Legislature — Civil Code art. 3493.11 (Delictual actions; two-year prescription)^{[^9]}
• Louisiana State Legislature — Civil Code art. 2315.1 (Survival action)^{[^10]}
• Louisiana State Legislature — Civil Code art. 2315.2 (Wrongful death action)^{[^11]}
• Louisiana State Legislature — La. R.S. 22:1295 (Uninsured motorist coverage)^{[^13]}
• Louisiana State Legislature — La. R.S. 32:398 (Crash reports; notice to law enforcement)^{[^8]}
• City of Lake Charles — Police Reports (crash report request guidance)^{[^4]}
• City of Lake Charles — LCPD crash reports online (LexisNexis portal guidance)^{[^5]}
• Louisiana.gov — State Police crash report portal (FAQ re: timing and fatal crash reports)^{[^7]}
• Louisiana State Police — Traffic Records Unit (report purchasing guidance)^{[^6]}
• NHTSA — Pedestrian safety overview and 2023 national statistics^{[^14]}
• IIHS — Fatality Facts 2023: Pedestrians^{[^15]}
• CDC — Pedestrian Safety (risk factors and prevention overview)^{[^16]}
• NHTSA — Share the Road: It’s Everyone’s Responsibility (parking lot/sidewalk caution)^{[^17]}

News coverage

• KPLC — initial report (Feb. 4, 2026)^{[^1]}
• KPLC — follow-up report (Feb. 10, 2026)^{[^2]}
• American Press — follow-up report (Feb. 10, 2026)^{[^3]}

Corrections

If you believe something is inaccurate, contact pnc@stephenbabcock.com and we’ll review and update.

Footnotes

1. KPLC 7 News, “Vehicle hits, kills pedestrian in parking lot on Country Club Road, police say,” by Matt Phillips, published Feb. 4, 2026 (3:49 PM CST).
   https://www.kplctv.com/2026/02/04/vehicle-hits-kills-pedestrian-parking-lot-country-club-road-police-say/
   ↩
2. KPLC 7 News, “83-year-old woman hit, killed in south Lake Charles parking lot,” by KPLC Digital Team, published Feb. 10, 2026 (3:36 PM CST).
   https://www.kplctv.com/2026/02/10/83-year-old-woman-hit-killed-south-lake-charles-parking-lot/
   ↩
3. American Press, “83-year-old woman fatally struck in Dollar General parking lot,” by Crystal Stevenson, published Feb. 10, 2026 (2:35 pm).
   

   83-year-old woman fatally struck in Dollar General parking lot

   
   ↩

4. City of Lake Charles, Louisiana, “Police Reports / Lake Charles, Louisiana” (crash report request guidance), accessed Feb. 22, 2026.
   https://www.cityoflakecharles.com/department/division.php?structureid=176
   ↩
5. City of Lake Charles, Louisiana, “About the LCPD / Police Department Organization / Police …” (crash reports online via LexisNexis), accessed Feb. 22, 2026.
   https://www.cityoflakecharles.com/department/division.php?fDD=19
   ↩
6. Louisiana State Police, “Traffic Records Unit,” accessed Feb. 22, 2026.
   https://lsp.org/about/leadershipsections/support/bcii/traffic-records-unit/
   ↩
7. Louisiana.gov (Dept. of Public Safety portal), “Crash Reports” (FAQ), accessed Feb. 22, 2026.
   https://crashreports.dps.la.gov/
   ↩
8. Louisiana State Legislature, La. R.S. 32:398 (Crash reports; when and to whom made; information aid; fees for copies; etc.), accessed Feb. 22, 2026.
   https://legis.la.gov/legis/Law.aspx?d=88361
   ↩
9. Louisiana State Legislature, La. Civ. Code art. 3493.11 (Delictual actions; two-year prescription; commencement; interruption), accessed Feb. 22, 2026.
   https://www.legis.la.gov/legis/Law.aspx?d=1403239
   ↩
10. Louisiana State Legislature, La. Civ. Code art. 2315.1 (Survival action), accessed Feb. 22, 2026.
    https://www.legis.la.gov/legis/Law.aspx?d=109402
    ↩
11. Louisiana State Legislature, La. Civ. Code art. 2315.2 (Wrongful death action), accessed Feb. 22, 2026.
    https://www.legis.la.gov/legis/Law.aspx?d=109403
    ↩
12. Louisiana State Legislature, La. Civ. Code art. 2323 (Comparative fault), accessed Feb. 22, 2026.
    https://www.legis.la.gov/legis/law.aspx?d=109387
    ↩
13. Louisiana State Legislature, La. R.S. 22:1295 (Uninsured motorist coverage), accessed Feb. 22, 2026.
    https://legis.la.gov/legis/Law.aspx?d=508161
    ↩
14. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), “Pedestrian Safety: Prevent Pedestrian Crashes,” accessed Feb. 22, 2026.
    https://www.nhtsa.gov/road-safety/pedestrian-safety
    ↩
15. Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), “Fatality Facts 2023: Pedestrians,” accessed Feb. 22, 2026.
    https://www.iihs.org/research-areas/fatality-statistics/detail/pedestrians
    ↩
16. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “Pedestrian Safety,” published Jan. 28, 2026, accessed Feb. 22, 2026.
    https://www.cdc.gov/pedestrian-bike-safety/about/pedestrian-safety.html
    ↩
17. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), “Share the Road: It’s Everyone’s Responsibility,” accessed Feb. 22, 2026.
    https://www.nhtsa.gov/share-road-its-everyones-responsibility
    ↩