A 59-year-old German woman was killed in a Wednesday afternoon crash on La. 12 in Starks.

Louisiana State Police Trooper Matt Gaspard said troopers responded to the two-vehicle crash near Old River Road at about 4 p.m. He said the crash claimed the life of 59-year-old Jurgen Sauerwein of Munster, Germany.

Gaspard said a 2024 Harley-Davidson motorcycle, driven by Sauerwein, was traveling east on La. 12. At the same time, a 1999 Western Star semi-truck was also traveling east.

“For reasons still under investigation, the motorcycle pulled onto the shoulder of La. 12 before re-entering the eastbound lane in an attempt to make a U-turn and travel west,” Gaspard said. “While making the U-turn, the motorcycle struck the side of the passing semi-truck.”

Sauerwein, who was wearing a DOT-approved helmet at the time of the crash, received fatal injuries and died at the scene. The driver of the semi-truck was properly restrained and was uninjured.

Standard toxicology samples were taken from both drivers and submitted for analysis. This crash is still under investigation.