Published: 02-13-2026 | Category: Troop E
Natchitoches Parish – On February 12, 2026, at approximately 1:39 p.m., Louisiana State Police Troop E responded to a two-vehicle crash on I-49 near Mile Post 140. The crash claimed the life of 25-year-old Dejuan D. Dickerson of Highland Park, MI.
The initial investigation revealed that a 2025 Freightliner was stopped on the southbound shoulder of I-49. The driver (pedestrian) of the Freightliner was attempting to change a flat tire on the vehicle. For reasons still under investigation, a southbound 2023 Freightliner drifted onto the southbound shoulder, struck the left side of the 2025 Freightliner and impacted the pedestrian.
Dickerson sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced dead on scene. The driver of the 2023 Freightliner, who was restrained, sustained minor injuries. Routine toxicology sample were obtained and submitted for analysis. Charges are pending.
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.
Contact Information:
M/T Casey Wallace
Louisiana State Police
Public Affairs Section
Office: (318) 266-7275
[email protected]