Roadworker Chris Gray struck and killed while filling potholes

35-year-old Chris Gray woke up on January 25 with a similar mindset as many of us in the community. He got out of bed, got dressed, and went to work, looking to make ends meet. He was employed by the Louisiana Highway Department and was filling potholes that day on U.S. 171 in De Soto Parish.

Unfortunately for Gray, he was involved in a serious accident involving a logging truck driven by 42-year-old Charles Barker. The logging truck smacked into a 2018 Dodge Ram, and then into a 2015 Ford dump truck. Both vehicles belonged to the state and were present with Gray and his two colleagues, Jalen Singleton and Mario Ross.

When this took place, Gray was standing behind the dump truck during the collision and was fatally struck.

“Our deepest sympathies go out to Chris Gray’s family,” said Department of Transportation and Development Secretary Shawn D. Wilson. “Chris was diligently doing his job for the citizens of our state when this heartbreaking incident occurred.” Via Newsbreak.com

Singleton was transported to an area hospital with serious injuries, while Ross was treated and released from the medical care facility. Barker was also taken to the hospital after the accident.

“The department can’t stress enough the importance of not driving distracted, especially in an active construction zone,” Wilson also said in a statement. Via Newsbreak.com

Wilson’s words ring true, as Gray and his team were looking to improve the condition of infrastructure in our area, before their lives would dramatically change.

The Johnson Firm expresses its condolences to Gray’s family as well and extends best wishes to Singleton and Ross on a full and speedy recovery. If you or someone you know is injured in a motor vehicle accident, please call us at (337) 433-1414.