West Monroe was the quiet backdrop of a brutal morning on Interstate 20 when a pair of big rigs collided just before 10:00 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 12, leaving two men dead and a third injured. The crash happened just west of Louisiana Highway 3249 near the Vancil Road overpass as drivers headed westbound toward Texas.
Troopers say 46‑year‑old Clinton Warren of Vina, Alabama was behind the wheel of a blue 2012 Freightliner hauling a manufactured home in the left lane. In the right lane was a white 2013 Freightliner box truck with its driver. For reasons still under review, Warren’s truck drifted right and struck the other rig, sending both big rigs skidding into the median and into the support columns under the overpass.
The force of the impact was devastating. Warren was not wearing a seat belt, and he died at the scene. Riding with him was his friend, 45‑year‑old Nelson Okuoimose of Laveen, Arizona. He was also unrestrained and suffered fatal injuries in the crash. The driver of the white Freightliner was buckled in and walked away with only minor injuries.
Troopers with the Louisiana State Police Troop F say they don’t believe drugs or alcohol were involved, but toxicology tests were taken as part of the ongoing probe into what caused the Freightliner to veer across lanes that morning. Investigators are still piecing together vehicle speeds and conditions, but there was no indication of adverse weather at the time.
Friends and family of the two men described them as seasoned drivers who loved the open road and looked forward to home at every layover. The accident has shaken their hometowns, with neighbors in Vina saying Warren would call often to share stories from the road.
Officials at the scene emphasized how critical seat belts are in large vehicles. In Louisiana, every passenger must be secured no matter where they sit, and state troopers reminded drivers that seat belts halve the chance of serious injury or death in crashes like this one. That message now echoes in West Monroe as loved ones mourn and investigators continue their work.
