With heavy heart and profound sorrow, we pause and honor the life of Katy Wells, a longtime crossing guard in Denham Springs, Louisiana, whose life was tragically taken while she was serving her community.
Denham Springs, Louisiana, pauses in grief and reflection after a heartbreaking incident on Thursday afternoon outside Gray’s Creek Elementary School, where Katy was struck by a vehicle while on duty after school along Hwy. 16. Despite an immediate response, she tragically lost her life as a result of the crash, leaving behind a community stunned and devastated.
Authorities say Katy Wells was performing her duties as a crossing guard when she was struck by a truck traveling northwest on Hwy. 16. The driver, identified as Darren Goudeau, 64, of Walker, was later arrested and booked into the Livingston Parish Detention Center on charges of vehicular homicide and DWI, with officials stating that impairment is suspected as a factor in the crash.
Katy’s passing has sent waves of grief throughout the Livingston Parish school system and the wider community she served for decades. Officials shared that she had dedicated 40 years of service with both the Livingston Parish School System and the Sheriff’s Office, most recently working at Gray’s Creek Elementary and Seventh Ward Elementary as a crossing guard.
She was far more than a school crossing guard—she was a constant protector, a familiar face, and a trusted presence at school crossings for generations of students. Each day, she stood with care and commitment, ensuring children crossed safely, embodying a quiet but powerful form of service that shaped countless lives.
School officials and community leaders have described her loss as devastating, emphasizing the deep impact she made over her decades of service. The Livingston Parish Sheriff’s Office stated, “She was loved. She was more than a crossing guard. She took great pride in protecting our children.”
Livingston Parish President Randy Delatte also reflected on her legacy, stating that Katy defined what true community service means. He noted that her kindness, dedication, and daily presence at schools left a lasting impression on families, students, and colleagues across the parish.
As the community mourns, heartfelt messages, prayers, and tributes continue to pour in for Katy Wells and her family. Her sudden passing has left an irreplaceable void in the schools she served and in the hearts of those who saw her as a symbol of safety, care, and selflessness.
She will be remembered not only for how she died but also for how she lived—standing every day at the intersection of duty and compassion, protecting children with unwavering dedication.
