Myron Lockett Obituary, Death; Coroner IDs 65-year-old cyclist killed by 18-wheeler on St. Claude in New Orleans.
Myron Lockett Obituary, Death – A 65-year-old man who was fatally struck by an 18-wheeler last week while riding his bicycle has been identified as Myron Lockett, according to a statement released Monday by the Orleans Parish Coroner’s Office.
The deadly incident occurred on Thursday afternoon as Lockett was cycling along St. Claude Avenue in New Orleans. According to investigators with the New Orleans Police Department (NOPD), Lockett entered the truck’s blind spot as the driver of the 18-wheeler was attempting to make a right-hand turn onto Franklin Avenue.
The truck driver had reportedly come to a full stop before initiating the turn. After the collision occurred, the driver remained at the scene and called 911 for emergency assistance. Despite those efforts, Lockett was pronounced dead on-site by first responders. The coroner’s office later confirmed that Lockett died as a result of blunt force trauma sustained in the crash.
This incident marks the second cyclist death on St. Claude Avenue in the span of just two weeks. Earlier, on July 12, 36-year-old Michael Milam, a well-known bartender in the city, was killed in a separate accident. Milam had been riding his bike home from work when he was struck in a hit-and-run at the intersection of St. Claude Avenue and Alvar Street.
The recent back-to-back fatalities involving cyclists have raised concerns within the community about the safety of bicyclists on busy roadways like St. Claude. Both cases remain under investigation as police continue to look into the circumstances that led to the collisions.
At this time, no charges have been announced in connection with Lockett’s death, and authorities have not indicated whether any citations were issued to the truck driver. In the previous case, involving Milam, police are still searching for the driver responsible for the hit-and-run.
These tragedies underscore the potential risks for cyclists in urban areas, particularly when sharing the road with large commercial vehicles. Advocates for safer streets have called for improved infrastructure and better protections for those who bike or walk through New Orleans’ neighborhoods.
The investigation into Lockett’s death remains ongoing, and authorities are expected to release more details as they become available. Meanwhile, community members continue to mourn the loss of two individuals in incidents that have drawn attention to long-standing concerns over traffic safety.
Lockett’s death adds to a growing number of fatal crashes involving cyclists in the city, prompting renewed calls for changes to traffic design and increased awareness among motorists. As the community awaits updates on both investigations, the back-to-back losses have left families grieving and sparked renewed conversation around bike safety in the city of New Orleans.
