NATCHITOCHES PARISH — What should have been a brief stop on the side of Interstate 49 turned deadly in a matter of seconds. Dejuan D. Dickerson, a 25-year-old from Highland Park, Michigan, lost his life Wednesday afternoon while trying to fix a flat tire along the busy highway.
Louisiana State Police Troop E said the crash happened around 1:39 p.m. on February 12, 2026, near Mile Post 140 on I-49. Troopers arrived to find a heartbreaking scene involving two large commercial trucks. What began as a routine roadside repair ended in tragedy that now stretches from Louisiana back to Michigan.
Investigators say a 2025 Freightliner was parked on the southbound shoulder because of a flat tire. Dickerson, who was driving the truck, had stepped out and was working to change the tire. For reasons still under investigation, a southbound 2023 Freightliner drifted onto the shoulder. It struck the left side of the parked truck and hit Dickerson.
The impact was devastating. Dickerson suffered fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the 2023 Freightliner was properly restrained and sustained only minor injuries. Authorities collected routine toxicology samples as part of standard procedure. Charges are pending while the investigation continues.
At just 25 years old, Dickerson was building his life. Friends say he was focused and determined, the kind of young man who put in the work and handled his responsibilities. Whether he was on the road for business or heading toward new opportunities, he carried plans for the future that will now go unfinished.
Highway shoulders are meant to offer a measure of safety, but they are not immune from danger. Law enforcement officials often warn drivers that a brief moment of distraction can have irreversible consequences. This crash stands as a painful reminder of how quickly lives can change on fast-moving interstates.
Several agencies responded to 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 crews worked together to secure the area, assist those involved, and manage traffic during the aftermath.
Now, those who loved Dejuan Dickerson are left with memories instead of moments. He was more than a headline and more than a crash statistic. He was a son, a friend, and a young man whose life carried promise. His loss will be felt far beyond the stretch of I-49 where his journey ended.
