Lafayette, Louisiana – Two Lafayette residents tragically lost their lives in a devastating three-vehicle crash that occurred in St. Landry Parish. Janie Hobbs, 67, and Shannon Thibodeaux, 34, were the victims of this unfortunate incident that took place at approximately 2 a.m. on a Wednesday morning. According to a press release from the Louisiana State Police, the fatal collision occurred when a pickup truck collided with the rear end of their vehicle while it was being towed.
The State Police reported that Bryan Dugan, a 64-year-old from Oklahoma, was driving his Ford F-150 south on Interstate 49 when he inexplicably struck the rear of a Nissan Titan that had pulled over to the side of the road due to a flat tire. Tragically, Hobbs and Thibodeaux were outside their vehicles when Dugan’s truck collided with them, resulting in their untimely deaths.
Furthermore, the press release revealed that Dugan, the driver of the Nissan, along with two other passengers, sustained moderate to severe injuries in the crash and were promptly transported to a nearby hospital for treatment. Charges against Dugan are pending as the State Police continue their investigation into the tragic incident.
This unfortunate crash adds to the alarming statistics of fatal crashes investigated by Troop I in 2024, with a total of 12 crashes resulting in 13 deaths so far. The authorities are working diligently to determine the factors that led to this devastating collision and to bring closure to the families of the victims of this tragic event. As the community mourns the loss of these two Lafayette residents, the importance of road safety and vigilance while driving is emphasized once again.