Suspect arrested after woman killed by two cars on Livingston Parish Highway

DENHAM SPRINGS – A woman was killed while walking on La. 447 after she was struck by two cars, state police said.

The accident killed 30-year-old Deasha Doucet, who was driving on La. 447 near Andrews Road in Livingston Parish around 10 p.m. on Wednesday. On Thursday, 69-year-old Joseph J. Casselberry Jr. of St. Amant was arrested in connection with the hit-and-run accident. He is charged with hit-and-run causing death.

According to LSP, Doucet was walking in the middle of the southbound lane. At the same time, a pickup truck was also traveling southbound and struck her before continuing south on La. 447.

Doucet was then struck by a 2021 Kia K5, LSP said. The driver of the K5 stopped to help Doucet and reported the accident.

When authorities arrived, Doucet was pronounced dead. No other injuries were reported.

Her father, Michael Doucet, expressed his shock at his daughter’s death.

“Why did my child have to be taken away from me?” Doucet asked. “She still had many years ahead of her and it’s like I was robbed.”