An LSU sophomore and the former St. Charles Parish student of the year was struck and killed late Tuesday on Nicholson Drive near the Tigerland area just off the LSU campus, authorities said.

Sarah James, 19, was hit while crossing the street around 11:40 p.m., Baton Rouge police spokesman Sgt. L'Jean McKneely Jr. said in a news release Wednesday morning.

James, a Montz native, was a sophomore at LSU studying biological engineering, said St. Charles Parish spokesman Micah Cormier. James graduated as the salutatorian from Destrehan High School and during her senior year she was honored as the parish's high school student of the year.

“All of us in St. Charles Parish are lifting the James family up in prayer,” St. Charles Parish President Larry Cochran wrote in a statement. “We should all honor Sarah by doing exactly what she set out to do; to make a positive difference in others’ lives.”

James had hoped to become a doctor, explaining to The St. Charles Herald Guide that she wanted a career where she could "improve people's lives."

The crash occurred in the 4400 block of Nicholson Drive, police said. James was taken to the hospital, where she later died.

The LSU Reveille published a story last fall highlighting the dangers of being a pedestrian on campus. Dozens of people are hit each year while walking on campus, according to the report.