Patrick Michael Espinosa
Case Number:
Not publicly available
Case Status:
Unsolved — LE confirmation pending
Date of Birth:
09/01/1967 (20 yo)
Date of Death:
01/22/1988
Date Discovered:
01/22/1988
Cause of Death:
Not publicly available
Location:
Hwy 171, three miles south of Leesville
Agency:
Vernon Parish Sheriff's Office – 337.238.1311
Tip Line:
Vernon Parish Crime Stoppers - 337.239.2233
Background
Patrick Michael Espinosa was born on 09/01/1967 in Colorado Springs, Colorado, to Santiago “Jim” Espinosa and Kathleen Anne Braggs. He had a brother, Santiago, and four sisters: Diana, Cindy, Amanda and Charlotte.
He attended Cole Junior High and Manuel High School, and was a member of St. Leander Catholic Church in Pueblo.
Patrick was married to Mary Lou Espinosa.
He joined the U.S. Army in 03/1986 and was stationed at Fort Polk in 06/1986. At the time of his death, Patrick was a Private First Class serving as a combat engineer with D Company, 588th Engineer Battalion.
Patrick enjoyed hunting and fishing and was also a disc jockey. His mother described him as a gentle, quiet young man who tried to see the good in people. She wrote that he had joined the Army while trying to find where he belonged in life and intended to return home after his military service.
PFC Patrick Michael Espinosa was interred at Imperial Memorial Gardens in Pueblo, Colorado.
Case Summary
During the early morning hours of 01/22/1988, Patrick was killed in a hit-and-run homicide on U.S. Highway 171 approximately three miles south of Leesville. According to Louisiana State Police, he was attempting to cross the highway when he was struck by a passing vehicle. Investigators believed the collision occurred shortly after 2:30 am.
A passing motorist discovered Patrick near the Billy Goat Hill area and notified authorities. He was pronounced dead at the scene at approximately 3:40 am.
Evidence at the scene indicated that the vehicle may have been an 18-wheeler or another dual-wheel truck. Louisiana State Police appealed to the public for information about the vehicle and driver.
On 06/26/1988, Patrick’s mother published a letter in The Leesville Daily Leader appealing for information about the person who struck her son and failed to stop. She wrote that she had contacted television and radio stations and newspapers in the Leesville and Fort Polk areas and asked anyone with information about the driver to notify authorities. She remained in regular contact with Maj. Gen. Taylor at Fort Polk while awaiting the investigative report. In the same letter, she acknowledged that Patrick had been drinking before he was struck. No additional details or references regarding his alcohol consumption were found.
Timeline
| 01/22/1988, around 2:30 am | Struck by a vehicle on US Hwy 171 south of Leesville. |
| 01/22/1988, around 3:40 am | Found near the Billy Goat Hill area and pronounced dead at the scene. |
| 01/24/1988 | Louisiana State Police for information about the driver. |
Suspects/Persons of Interest
No suspects or persons of interest have been publicly identified.
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Research Notes
- Patrick’s mother stated that he had been drinking, though no documentation could be found confirmimg this.
- This profile will be updated as pending public records requests are received and reviewed.
Sources
- The Leesville Daily Leader, “Accidents Kill Two,” 01/24/1988
- The Leesville Daily Leader, “Letters to the Editor,” 06/26/1988