The community of Vidrine in Evangeline Parish is mourning the after 60-year-old Reserve Deputy John Granger of Reddell was struck by a car this morning.
This all happening near Vidrine Elementary at the intersection of LA-10 and Tiger Lane. Troopers say a vehicle turning onto LA-10 was broadsided and spun out of control hitting Granger who was pronounced dead on scene.
LA-10 and Tiger Lane is usually bustling with traffic. Instead, it was a sea of police cruisers and blue lights as the close knit community tries to grasp what happened.
"He stayed to himself mainly. He was a real nice guy," said David Courville.
Another friend, Dustin Ardoin said, "he was a friendly person, my little boy would wave at him everyday and he'd wave back, point his finger at him. He was a real good friend of the community."
Granger dedicated his life to public service. He was a reserve deputy for the Evangeline Parish Sheriff's Office and a crossing guard for several years.
"This is a case where you have a person who is a public servant who's worked for over three years assisting the people of Evangeline Parish safely make it around the school here," said Trooper Stephhen Hammons.
Granger was an icon in the community. Everyone knew him and for many, their children and grandchildren always looked forward to seeing him before and after school.
"He'd pick on her and I don't know what to tell her. It's part of life. It goes to show when it's your time because the man sure didn't deserve that."
The accident is still under investigation by Louisiana State Police.
Chris Welty