State Police troopers are investigating two separate crashes that claimed the lives of a pedestrian in Jefferson Parish and a driver in St. Bernard Parish Monday evening.

The victims were identified as Phillip Harris, 79, of Harahan, and Arturo Castro Hernandez, 46, of Mexico, State Police said.

The first crash was reported about 6:30 p.m. on Florissant Highway in St. Bernard. Castro was driving eastbound on the thoroughfare in a 2003 Honda Accord when he veered left, crossing the opposing lane and crashed into a culvert, State Police said.

Castro was not wearing a seat belt and was partially ejected from his vehicle. He was pronounced dead at the scene, State Police said.

The second crash occurred about 30 minutes later on Jefferson Highway in Old Jefferson, according to authorities

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