NATCHITOCHES PARISH — A routine highway stop turned into a fatal crash Wednesday afternoon on Interstate 49, leaving one man dead and another driver under investigation. The incident claimed the life of 25-year-old Dejuan D. Dickerson of Highland Park, Michigan.
According to Louisiana State Police Troop E, the crash happened around 1:39 p.m. on February 12, 2026, near Mile Post 140. Troopers responded to reports of a two-vehicle collision involving commercial trucks on the southbound side of the interstate.
Investigators say a 2025 Freightliner had pulled onto the shoulder due to a flat tire. Dickerson exited the vehicle to change the tire. As he worked outside the truck, a southbound 2023 Freightliner drifted onto the shoulder. It struck the left side of the parked vehicle and hit Dickerson.
Dickerson sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the 2023 Freightliner was wearing a seatbelt and suffered minor injuries. Authorities confirmed that routine toxicology samples were taken. Charges are pending as the investigation remains ongoing.
State Police have not yet said what caused the 2023 Freightliner to leave its lane. Investigators are working to determine whether distraction, fatigue, or another factor played a role. Until those findings are complete, officials are urging the public not to speculate.
The crash has once again raised concerns about safety on highway shoulders. Even when drivers follow the rules and pull over properly, they remain exposed to fast-moving traffic. Law enforcement officials continue to stress the importance of staying alert behind the wheel and reducing distractions at all times.
Emergency responders from multiple agencies assisted at the scene, including the Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office, Natchitoches Regional Medical Center EMS, Natchitoches Parish Fire Protection District #6, Parish Coroner Steven Clanton, the Natchitoches Police Department, and the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development. Their coordinated response helped manage the aftermath of the collision.
As investigators work to determine the exact sequence of events, one fact remains unchanged: a young man’s life was cut short. Dejuan D. Dickerson’s death leaves a family grieving and a community reflecting on the fragility of life along America’s highways.
