A vehicle traveling southbound on East University Avenue struck Cody Sanson, 37, of New Market, Iowa, around 7 p.m. Saturday in Lafayette. The crash took place in the 900 block where lights were dim and no crosswalk marked the way.
Investigators found Cody looked down at his phone while he stepped into the street. That moment put him directly in the car’s path. Severe injuries followed at once.
Emergency teams rushed him by ambulance to a nearby hospital. He was pronounced dead soon after arrival. Police ruled out any impairment by the driver from the start.
The force of the collision shut down East University Avenue from Harding Street to Coolidge Street. Patrol officers and traffic units stayed on scene for hours. The stretch opened back up once work finished.
This kind of crash highlights how quick a phone check can turn deadly on a dark road. Cody came from Iowa and met his end far from familiar ground. Loved ones now deal with the abrupt hole left behind.
Authorities keep reviewing the full details. No charges have been announced yet. The loss of Cody Sanson serves as a clear call for alertness from both drivers and people on foot in low-light spots.
Simple habits like looking up before crossing could prevent nights like this one. The investigation moves forward while those close to Cody begin the hard work of saying goodbye.




