Dwayne Jackson Killed in Truck Accident in Ascension Parish, LA

Ascension Parish, LA — March 13, 2025, Dwayne Jackson was killed in a truck accident at about 1:30 a.m. on westbound Interstate 10.

Authorities said a 2025 Freightliner semi-truck was trying to enter the highway from the right shoulder when it was hit from behind by a 2006 Nissan Titan.

Nissan driver Dwayne Jackson, 41, of New Orleans died after being taken to a local hospital, according to authorities.

The truck driver was not injured.

Authorities have not released any additional information about the Ascension Parish crash at this time. The accident is still under investigation.

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

Crashes involving semi-trucks re-entering the highway from the shoulder raise serious concerns about visibility, right-of-way, and whether proper precautions were taken. In this case, reports indicate that a Freightliner semi-truck was attempting to merge back onto Interstate 10 when it was struck from behind by a Nissan Titan. A full investigation should determine whether this was due to driver error, poor visibility or another contributing factor.

One of the most important questions investigators should answer is whether the truck driver signaled properly and re-entered the highway safely. Large trucks take time to accelerate to highway speeds, and merging too slowly or without sufficient space can put approaching drivers in a dangerous situation. Did the truck driver check for oncoming traffic, or did they pull out too soon? Reviewing black box data, dashcam footage and witness statements will be critical in determining whether the truck’s maneuver left the Nissan driver with enough time to react.

Another key factor is whether the Nissan driver had a fair opportunity to avoid the collision. At 1:30 a.m., reduced lighting can make it difficult to see vehicles entering the highway, particularly if the truck did not have proper reflective markings or was merging at a slow speed. Was the Nissan driver able to see the truck in time? Investigators should analyze vehicle data and skid marks to determine whether the Nissan driver had enough distance to stop or change lanes.

Road design and traffic conditions should also be considered. Was there a designated acceleration lane for the truck to merge safely? Was traffic heavy, making it harder for vehicles to adjust for merging trucks? If the highway design contributed to the crash, that should be closely examined.

At this stage, there isn’t enough public information to determine exactly what led to this crash. But if authorities focus only on who hit whom without investigating why the truck was merging when it did and whether the Nissan driver had a reasonable chance to react, they risk missing key details. A thorough investigation should take all possible factors into account to ensure a full understanding of what went wrong.