Louisiana Tow Operator Killed along with Customer

Around 2 a.m. on  April 3, tow operator Shannon Thibodeaux of Lafayette, Louisiana was struck and killed on Interstate 49 as he was helping a stranded motorist with a flat tire, according to Louisiana State Police. The fatal incident involved the tow operator, the disabled motorist, and several passengers of the vehicle that strayed off the road. The preliminary investigation revealed 64-year-old Bryan Dugan, of Duncan, Oklahoma, was traveling south on I-49 while driving a 2017 Ford F-150. At the same time, a 2022 Nissan Titan and a 2024 International tow truck were parked on the right shoulder of I-49, after the Nissan had become disabled with a flat tire. For reasons still under investigation, the F-150 exited the lane of travel and struck the rear of the Nissan, pushing it forward into the tow truck. As a result of the collision, Thibodeaux, who was the tow truck operator, and the driver of the Nissan were struck while outside of the vehicles. 

Thibodeaux and Hobbs (passenger in the Nissan) suffered fatal injuries and died at the scene. Dugan, along with two additional passengers in the Nissan, and the Nissan driver (standing out of the vehicle), all suffered moderate to severe injuries. All four were transported to a local hospital for treatment. 

Charges against Dugan are pending. This crash remains under investigation.  Source: avoyellestoday.com