With profound sadness, family, friends, and the Livingston community are mourning the heartbreaking loss of Linda Watts, 64, and Joseph Watts, 62, whose lives ended following a tragic head-on crash on Louisiana Highway 42 in Livingston Parish on Friday morning, July 10, 2026.
According to Louisiana State Police, the crash happened shortly after 7:20 a.m. on LA 42, west of Oliver Wheat Road, when a 2026 Freightliner box truck driven by Brandon Koehnke, 30, of Denham Springs, was traveling westbound and a 2023 Toyota Highlander driven by Linda Watts was traveling eastbound.
Investigators said that, for reasons still under investigation, the Freightliner crossed the centerline while traveling through a right-hand curve and struck the Toyota head-on. Following the impact, both vehicles left the roadway, and the Freightliner overturned.
Linda Watts, who was driving the Toyota, and Joseph Watts, who was the front-seat passenger, were both properly restrained but suffered fatal injuries. They were pronounced dead at the scene.
Koehnke, who was also properly restrained, suffered minor injuries and was transported to a local hospital for treatment. After being released, he was booked into the Livingston Parish Detention Center on two counts of negligent homicide and one count of improper lane usage.
The crash remains under investigation. Authorities said impairment is unknown at this time, and routine toxicology samples will be collected and analyzed.
As family and loved ones grieve the loss of Linda and Joseph Watts, they are remembering the lives they shared, the memories they created, and the impact they had on those who knew them.
May Linda and Joseph Watts rest in peace. Their memory will forever remain in the hearts of their family, friends, and community.
