Louisiana State Police: Three people trying to change a flat tire struck and killed by big rig

Louisiana State Police (LSP) say that multiple pedestrians were killed after being struck by a semi truck on Tuesday evening.

The incident occurred after 7 p.m. on December 6 on I-49 north of Natchitoches.

LSP said that “a 1999 Jeep Laredo was stalled on the northbound shoulder of I-49” and that the three vehicle occupants were attempting to change a flat tire.

“For reasons still under investigation, a northbound 1997 Freightliner, driven by 62-year-old Clyde Gay of Coushatta, drifted onto the northbound shoulder, struck the left side of the Jeep and impacted all three pedestrians,” LSP said.

Nineteen year old Tyran Williams of Dallas, 21 year old Dylan Young of Dallas, and 19 year old Broderick Moore of Cedar Hill, Texas, all sustained fatal injuries and were pronounced dead at the scene.

Troopers say that routine toxicology tests are pending and the crash is still under investigation.

From LSP:

While the cause of this crash remains under investigation, distracted and inattentive driving continues to be a leading cause of crashes in our state. Louisiana State Police urges all motorists to stay alert while driving. A lapse in one’s awareness can have deadly consequences.

The three victims were members of the Human Jukebox Marching Band at Southern University.