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In a heartbreaking incident, a cherished crossing guard lost her life when she was hit by a driver suspected of being impaired. This tragedy unfolded in a Louisiana parish on Thursday, as reported by local authorities.
Katy Wells, a dedicated figure who devoted over four decades to the Livingston Parish community, was identified as the victim. The Livingston Parish Sheriff’s Office stated that the driver, 64-year-old Darren Goudeau, was responsible for the accident.
The tragic event occurred around 3:30 p.m. on Thursday. Wells was in the midst of her duties, helping children safely cross the street, when Goudeau, traveling north on Highway 16, struck her, resulting in her untimely death.
Expressing the community’s grief, Livingston Parish Sheriff Jason Ard shared heartfelt words in a Facebook video. “This is a devastating loss. Katy was a familiar and beloved figure in our community. Her energy and dedication to the children she helped every day were unmatched. The incident is truly tragic,” he said.
A school crossing guard, deeply valued by her community, was fatally injured by a driver allegedly under the influence while she performed her duty of safeguarding children. (Source: 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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