News Summary
Shreveport, Louisiana, has witnessed two fatal automotive incidents recently, resulting in one death and two injuries. Authorities are investigating both crashes, which occurred days apart and raised concerns about road safety in the area. Preliminary findings indicate one driver was cooperative, whereas the other experienced a medical emergency leading to a head-on collision. Ongoing investigations aim to uncover more facts about the circumstances surrounding these tragic events.
Shreveport Sees Two Fatal Crashes, One Driver Charged
Shreveport, Louisiana, recently experienced two separate fatal automotive incidents, resulting in one death and two injuries. Authorities are investigating both cases, which occurred within days of each other, heightening concerns over road safety in the area.
First Incident Results in Fatality
The first crash occurred on August 7 at approximately 5:30 p.m. at the intersection of Greenwood Road and Mission Street. In this incident, a collision took place between a Mercedes CTS and a 2015 Dodge Challenger. The driver of the Mercedes was found unconscious at the scene and was later transported to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
The deceased driver was identified as Wayland Bearden, aged 71. Preliminary findings from law enforcement indicate that the driver of the Challenger cooperated fully with the investigation, including submitting to a standard field sobriety test. The initial examination suggested no signs of intoxication on the part of the Challenger driver. The cause of the crash is still under investigation.
Second Crash Involves Medical Emergency
The second incident occurred a day earlier on August 6 at approximately 11 a.m. on the Jimmie Davis Bridge over the Red River. Wayland Bearden was also involved in this crash as the driver of a 2015 Chevrolet Cruze. Upon arriving at the scene, medical personnel found Bearden unresponsive and attempted to administer life-saving measures; however, he was pronounced dead at the scene.
Investigations revealed that Bearden was traveling westbound when he reportedly veered into the eastbound lane, leading to a head-on collision with a 2020 Kenworth semi-truck. A witness to the crash noted that Bearden was driving erratically prior to the incident, which may indicate a medical emergency. Dashcam footage from the nearby witness has been collected as part of the ongoing investigation. The semi-truck driver was also transported to Ochsner LSU Health for treatment and voluntarily provided a blood sample, which showed no signs of impairment. It was noted that Bearden was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash.
Previous Crash Leaves One Dead, Two Injured
This recent spate of accidents follows another crash that took place on August 2 on LA 3132. During this incident at approximately 4:43 a.m. under I-49, a Jeep Gladiator was reported traveling west in the eastbound lanes when it collided with a Ford F-250. This collision caused severe damage, leading to the driver’s side of the Ford being sheared off and the Jeep rolling over and catching fire.
An SPD sergeant was one of the first responders, assisting a female passenger from the engulfed Jeep and discovering the unresponsive driver of the Ford. All three involved parties were transported to a local hospital in critical condition, but the driver of the Ford was pronounced dead upon arrival. The Jeep passenger sustained multiple broken bones and remains hospitalized. Investigations indicated signs of impairment from the Jeep driver, identified as Joshua Cochran, who has since been charged with vehicular homicide and first-degree vehicular negligent injury.
Ongoing Investigations
Investigations into both recent fatal crashes continue as authorities work to gather more facts surrounding the incidents. The tragic events underscore the importance of road safety and the potential for serious consequences when drivers engage in risky behaviors.
As the investigations unfold, Shreveport residents are reminded to approach road safety with utmost caution, putting measures in place to promote safer driving practices within the community.
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Additional Resources
- KSLA: 1 Person Killed in Wreck Shreveport
- Wikipedia: Road Safety
- KTBS: Crash Victim Named in Fatal Collision on Jimmie Davis Bridge
- Google Search: Shreveport Traffic Accidents
- KSLA: Crews Respond to Major Wreck Jimmie Davis Bridge
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Vehicle Accidents
- KSLA: Fatal Wong Way Crash Results in 1 Dead, Driver Charged
- Google News: Shreveport Accidents
Author: STAFF HERE SHREVEPORT WRITER
The SHREVEPORT STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREShreveport.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Shreveport, Caddo Parish, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Mudbug Madness Festival, Red River Revel Arts Festival, and Independence Bowl. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Shreveport-Bossier Chamber of Commerce and Shreveport Regional Arts Council, plus leading businesses in gaming, healthcare, and energy that power the local economy such as Horseshoe Casino, Ochsner LSU Health, and Atmos Energy. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBatonRouge.com and HERENewOrleans.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Louisiana's dynamic landscape.
