The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development held a ceremony on October 6 dedicating a section of US 171 in DeSoto Parish to the memory of DOTD employee Chris Gray, who was killed in a crash while performing routine roadway maintenance in January 2023.
The driver of a log truck failed to yield in the work zone, crashing into the maintenance crew’s dump trucks. Two other DOTD employees were injured.
During this year’s Legislative session, House Bill 343 redesignated this portion of US 171 as the “Chris Gray Memorial Highway.” DOTD officials, Rep. Larry Bagley along with Gray’s family unveiled the signage.
The dedication of the highway serves as a reminder of Gray’s sacrifice while serving the citizens of Louisiana, as well as a reminder that one mistake behind the wheel can have disastrous consequences for those around you.
