SHREVEPORT, La. — A devastating head-on collision early Saturday morning has left one man dead and two others injured in what authorities are calling a tragic and avoidable crash involving suspected impairment.

According to the Shreveport Police Department, the fatal accident occurred around 4:43 a.m. on Highway 3132 eastbound near the Interstate 49 interchange, when a Jeep, driven by Joshua Cochran, was traveling the wrong way down the highway. The Jeep collided head-on with a Ford F-250 pickup truck, driven by 38-year-old Joshua Pyle of Kilgore, Texas.

The impact of the collision was catastrophic. The force of the crash ripped off the side of the Ford and caused Cochran’s Jeep to flip and catch fire, creating a chaotic and terrifying scene just before sunrise.

A Shreveport Police sergeant, who was the first to arrive at the scene, is being hailed for his quick and heroic actions. Braving the flames, the officer was able to pull a female passenger from the burning Jeep, likely saving her life. Emergency responders arrived moments later to assist with the rescue and transport of all involved.

Sadly, Joshua Pyle, the driver of the Ford, sustained critical injuries in the crash. He was rushed to Ochsner LSU Health Shreveport, but despite the efforts of medical staff, he was pronounced dead shortly after arrival. Pyle, a resident of Kilgore, is remembered by loved ones as a devoted family man and hard-working professional. His untimely death has left his family and community in mourning.

Cochran and his female passenger were also transported to the hospital with injuries. The extent of their conditions has not been released to the public, but police confirmed that Cochran showed signs of impairment at the time of the crash. Once he is medically cleared, he will be formally booked into jail on multiple charges, including:

• Vehicular Homicide

• First-Degree Vehicular Negligent Injury

The crash remains under active investigation, and authorities have not yet confirmed the results of any toxicology testing. Investigators are also working to determine how Cochran ended up traveling the wrong way on a limited-access highway in the early morning hours, and whether additional factors—such as speed, lighting, or distractions—played a role in the deadly collision.

Local officials and road safety advocates are once again emphasizing the dangers of impaired and reckless driving, especially during early morning hours when visibility is low and road awareness is critical.

In the wake of the incident, the stretch of Highway 3132 was closed for several hours as investigators reconstructed the scene and cleared the wreckage. Traffic resumed later in the morning, but the emotional toll remains heavy for those involved and the broader Shreveport community.

Friends and family of Joshua Pyle have begun expressing their grief online, sharing stories and photos of a man whose life ended far too soon. A memorial service is expected to be announced in the coming days.

Anyone who may have witnessed the crash or the moments leading up to it is encouraged to contact the Shreveport Police Department as the investigation continues.

This tragic incident is a sobering reminder of the irreversible consequences that come with impaired driving—and a call for vigilance, responsibility, and change on Louisiana’s roads.