Commercial Motor Vehicle Strikes and Kills Dubach Police Officer on US 167

Lincoln Parish – On Saturday, April 27, 2024, shortly before 1:00 p.m., Troopers with Louisiana State Police Troop F began investigating a fatal crash on US 167 just south of Hamilton Road. The crash claimed the life of 51-year-old Russell Croxton of Dubach.

The initial investigation revealed that Officer Russell Croxton was engaged in a traffic stop with a 2014 Ford Explorer. Croxton’s vehicle, a fully marked 2020 Chevrolet Silverado police vehicle, was stopped behind the Ford in the right northbound lane of US 167 with its emergency lights activated.

Officer Croxton had exited his vehicle and was standing next to the driver’s side window of the Ford speaking to the driver. At the same time, a 2022 Peterbilt commercial motor vehicle (CMV), driven by 61-year-old Michael Sutterfield of Russellville, Arkansas, was traveling north on US 167 in the right lane. For reasons still under investigation, Sutterfield failed to yield to the Chevrolet. As a result, the CMV struck the rear of the Chevrolet, causing it to rotate to the right. After striking the Chevrolet, the CMV continued north and struck Officer Croxton before striking the Ford.

Officer Croxton was transported to an area hospital, where he later died. Sutterfield and the driver of the Ford were both properly restrained and uninjured. Although impairment is not suspected, routine toxicology samples were collected and will be submitted for analysis. This crash remains under investigation.

This is a reminder to everyone to please obey the “Move Over” law! If you see an emergency vehicle stopped with its emergency lights activated, please reduce your speed and change lanes to give first responders room to operate safely. Following this law will help keep first responders safe while they are assisting others on our highways.

In 2024, Troop F has investigated 14 fatal crashes, resulting in 15 deaths.

Contact Information:

TFC Ryan Davis

Louisiana State Police

Public Affairs Section

Office: (318) 345-2810

[email protected]