BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) — DOTD Worker Struck by 18-Wheeler While Working on Traffic Light in Livingston Parish

BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) — DOTD Worker Struck by 18-Wheeler While Working on Traffic Light in Livingston Parish

BATON ROUGE, La – A shocking roadway incident in Livingston Parish has sparked new concerns about work zone safety after a Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) employee was struck by an 18-wheeler while performing maintenance on a traffic light Wednesday afternoon. The worker was inside the bucket of a utility truck when the massive semi collided with the elevated platform, shattering it on impact.

The incident, which took place near Denham Springs, was captured on a dash camera and quickly spread across social media. One user, Bill Atkinson, who appeared to be waiting at the intersection when the crash occurred, posted the footage online with the caption:

“We never expected to see this today while waiting for a green light.”

Impact of the Crash: Worker Injured, Bucket Destroyed

According to the Denham Springs Police Department (DSPD), the crash occurred just before 1:10 p.m. The 18-wheeler was attempting to make a left turn when it clipped the elevated utility bucket, causing a violent collision that destroyed the bucket and sent debris flying.

Miraculously, the DOTD worker inside the bucket suffered only minor injuries. Officials say the worker did not require hospitalization, a fact many are calling nothing short of a miracle, given the force of the impact and the size of the truck involved.

“This could have easily been a fatal incident,” said a DOTD spokesperson. “We are beyond thankful that our employee is safe, but this is a clear warning of how quickly things can go wrong when drivers are distracted or unaware in construction and maintenance zones.”

Video Footage Sparks Outrage and Safety Conversations

The dashcam video, now widely circulated online, shows the 18-wheeler swinging left at the intersection and striking the utility bucket from underneath. The footage has prompted widespread comments and concern from Louisiana residents, many of whom are demanding stronger protections for roadside workers.

“It’s terrifying to watch,” said one viewer. “This worker was doing his job — trying to keep our infrastructure functioning — and almost lost his life because someone wasn’t paying attention.”

DOTD and local authorities have not yet released the identity of the driver of the semi-truck, and no charges have been filed at this time. However, DSPD has confirmed that the incident remains under investigation.

DOTD Issues Urgent Reminder to Drivers

In a statement following the incident, DOTD reiterated the importance of driver awareness, especially near active work zones or utility vehicles.

“Road maintenance and traffic light repairs can happen at any time — day or night. Motorists must remain alert, reduce speed, and follow traffic laws. The safety of our employees, and the public, depends on it.”

The department also reminded drivers that utility work is often carried out while traffic continues to flow nearby, making it critical for all motorists to be cautious, particularly when navigating turns or intersections where maintenance vehicles and crews may be operating.

A Close Call That Could Have Been Tragic

As Louisiana continues to invest in roadway infrastructure and traffic system improvements, the number of utility and maintenance crews working along busy roadways is expected to increase. Wednesday’s incident serves as a stark reminder of the daily dangers these workers face.

“It takes one moment of distraction to cause a lifetime of consequences,” said a DOTD official. “We were lucky today, but we may not be so lucky next time.”

What’s Next

The Denham Springs Police Department and DOTD are continuing their investigation into the crash. Authorities are also reviewing the dashcam footage to determine whether any traffic violations were committed by the semi-truck driver and if further enforcement actions are necessary.

In the meantime, the DOTD employee who survived the ordeal is recovering and has received support and praise from both coworkers and members of the public for their resilience and professionalism under such traumatic circumstances.

If you witness unsafe driving near construction or maintenance zones, you’re urged to report it to local law enforcement. Your vigilance could help save a life.