Tragedy in Livingston Parish as a school crossing guard is killed by a suspected drunk driver. 74-year-old Katy Wells was directing traffic on Highway 16 in Denham Springs Thursday afternoon as Gray’s Creek Elementary School was being let out for the day, when she was hit by a pickup truck. Wells was killed on impact. Sheriff Jason Ard says Wells was a beloved member of the Livingston Parish community.
“Ms. Katy was such a great person. Iconic in that area, been around for 40 years within the school system and Sheriff’s office, always helping in the community,” Ard said.
Sheriff Ard says 64-year-old Darren Goudeau of Walker was arrested and is charged with vehicular homicide and DWI.
DARREN GOUDEAU (photo courtesy of Livingston Parish Sheriff’s Office)
“It angers me to know that a man that was impaired did this. We fight everyday to try to keep that stuff down to a minimum. We don’t want any of that to happen but, unfortunately, it does,” Ard said.
Ard says he hopes this incident will get people to re-evaluate their behavior on the roadways.
“I encourage all of us to look at this situation, and then look at yourself and say, ‘How can I do better?’ Well, we can do better by slowing down and paying attention and be more vigilant about our surroundings when we drive,” Ard said.