Denham Springs is grieving the loss of a familiar face in the crosswalk. Katy Wells, a longtime crossing guard who spent decades guiding kids safely across busy streets, was killed Thursday afternoon after being struck by a vehicle while directing traffic outside Gray’s Creek Elementary.
The Livingston Parish Sheriff’s Office said the driver was taken into custody and charged in connection with the crash. School officials and law enforcement are publicly mourning Wells, who had worked with Livingston Parish Public Schools and the sheriff’s office for years and was widely known to families in the area. Neighbors and parents reacted with shock and heartbreak as word spread.
Driver arrested and charged
Deputies identified the driver as 64-year-old Darren Goudeau of Walker. He was arrested and booked on charges of vehicular homicide and first-offense DWI, according to WAFB.
Livingston Parish deputies said the crash happened in the afternoon as Wells was directing students across Louisiana Highway 16. Investigators stayed on scene, collecting evidence and speaking with witnesses while traffic crawled past the taped-off area.
Longtime school worker remembered
Wells’ death hits especially hard because she was such a fixture in the parish. Livingston Parish Public Schools and local leaders said she had served the district and the sheriff’s office for roughly 40 years, most recently working at Gray’s Creek and Seventh Ward elementary schools, per WBRZ.
Sheriff Jason Ard called the loss “devastating,” and Livingston Parish President Randy Delatte described Wells as “a true servant” whose kindness and steady presence left a lasting mark on students, parents, and colleagues.
Regional condolences and safety reminder
The shock spread beyond Livingston Parish. The St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office shared condolences to Livingston Parish Schools and Wells’ family and used the moment to remind drivers to slow down, put away phones, and follow crossing guards’ instructions in a Facebook post by the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office.
That message echoed what local officials have been saying for years: school zones are not places to gamble with speed or distraction, and one bad decision can change a community forever. Investigators are continuing their work as those calls for caution grow louder.
What the charges can mean
Under Louisiana law, vehicular homicide is a felony that carries potential fines from $2,000 to $15,000 and prison terms ranging from five to 30 years. Portions of any sentence must be served without the possibility of probation, parole, or suspension of sentence, according to the state statute.
Prosecutors can also seek enhanced penalties based on blood-alcohol level or prior convictions. Authorities said the investigation will continue and any additional filings will come as the case develops.
Next steps for schools and families
Livingston Parish Public Schools asked the community for prayers and support for Wells’ family and for the many students and parents she touched over the years, according to WBRZ. District officials said they will update families as appropriate.
Law enforcement is again urging drivers to stay alert in school zones, obey posted limits, and follow crossing guard directions while deputies complete their work on a case that has left a quiet community stunned.
