A cherished crossing guard lost her life in a tragic accident when an allegedly impaired driver struck her while she was assisting children in crossing the street in Louisiana’s Livingston Parish, authorities reported.
Katy Wells, a dedicated member of the Livingston Parish community for more than 40 years, was fatally hit by 64-year-old Darren Goudeau, according to information provided by the Livingston Parish Sheriff’s Office.
The incident occurred around 3:30 p.m. on Thursday as Wells was performing her duties. Goudeau, who was driving north on Highway 16, allegedly hit and killed her at the scene, according to the sheriff’s office.
“This is a heartbreaking loss. Katy was a prominent figure in our community, loved by many and full of energy,” expressed Livingston Parish Sheriff Jason Ard in a Facebook video. “She was passionate about her work and cared deeply for the children she helped every day. This incident is truly tragic.”
Goudeau was taken into custody and faces charges of vehicular homicide and a second-offense DWI. Initially charged with a first-offense DWI, the charge was elevated when authorities discovered a previous DWI conviction from 2022, as announced by the Livingston Parish Sheriff’s Office.
Ard also revealed that Goudeau was charged with vehicular homicide and first-offense DWI. The first-offense DWI was later upgraded to a second-offense DWI when authorities discovered Goudeau had also received a DWI in 2022, Livingston Parish Sheriff’s Office announced.
Wells was adored by her local community. Years of social media posts from the Seventh Ward Elementary School where she worked highlighted her dedication to the community and were packed with glowing comments from residents.
“Ms Katy has a heart of gold and has been so helpful to me from the first year I started teaching at Seventh Ward way back in 1990! She even subbed for me back then after doing her traffic job! Thanks for all the laughs and friendship! She truly is one of a kind!” Gayla Jopling Johnson commented on a 2019 video.
“Katy has been one of my main anchors for many years, especially since my husband passed away. My children and I love ‘Ms. Katy,’” Kim Toothman Pickett also added.
Children with backpacks cross a street guided by a crossing guard near a yellow school bus with its stop sign extended. (Getty Images)
While many in the community mourned, some called for action.
Courtney Hatcher, who lives across the street from the school, warned that cars travel way too fast on the highway in front of the elementary school.
“We walk to school, so I’ve seen people fly through. They’ve almost hit us before because they’re not paying attention or they’re going too fast or whatever the case may be,” Hatcher told WBRC.
She suggested the speed limit be reduced to at least 45 mph.
A crossing guard helps in crossing the street in Fountain Valley, Calif., on Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2020. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
“It very well could be me and my children because we do, we walk every day, and I’m so thankful that it wasn’t, but I’m so sorry for her and her family,” she told the outlet.
Goudeau is being held on a $102,000 bond, a spokesperson for Livingston Parish Detention Center told Fox News Digital.
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