Editor’s note: This story has been updated to correct the spelling of Clyde Gay. We apologize for the error.
BATON ROUGE, La. (BRPROUD) — The Baton Rouge community is mourning after three Southern University Human Jukebox band members were struck and killed along I-49 in north Louisiana Tuesday evening.
According to Louisiana State Police (LSP) Troop E, 19-year-old Tyran Williams of Dallas, Texas, 21-year-old Dylan Young of Dallas, Texas, and 19-year-old Broderick Moore of Cedar Hill, Texas were killed in Natchitoches while changing a flat tire along the interstate after 7 p.m. Tuesday.
State Police said a 1997 Freightliner hit all three after drifting onto the northbound shoulder. The driver was identified as 62-year-old Clyde Gay of Coushatta.
All three victims were declared dead on the scene while Gay had no injuries from the crash, authorities said.
An investigation into the crash is ongoing.
Williams and Moore were freshmen students majoring in music and Young was a sophomore majoring in mechanical engineering, Southern University confirmed.
Human Jukebox’s Director of Bands Kedric Taylor remembers his students in a statement released Wednesday afternoon:
“I am at a loss for words and utterly devastated to hear the news that three of my band members lost their lives in a vehicle collision Tuesday night. Tyran Williams, Dylan Young, and Broderick Moore were some of the most promising, humble and talented student musicians I’ve had the pleasure of instructing. The dedication and work ethic they displayed to the Human Jukebox was inspiring.”
“We appreciated the outpouring of love, prayers and support being shown to our Jukebox family, the Southern University community, and to the family and loved ones of these young men,” Taylor continued. “As we work to process through this devastating loss, we ask that you please respect the privacy of the families and school community of Broderick, Tyran and Dylan.”
Taylor said details on how the band will be memorializing Williams, Young and Moore will be coming soon.
The Southern University System Foundation created a memorial fund in honor of the three students and to offer support to their families. To make a donation, visit foundation.sus.edu/human-jukebox-memorial-fund.
Condolences pour in for band members killed
Southern University’s student government president tweeted his condolences:
RIP to the 3 young men that passed away on yesterday. Please pray for their families, friends , Human Jukebox & the Jaguar Nation
Carlos Brister
President-Chancellor Dennis Shields shared the following with the Southern campus community:
Dear Southern University Community,
It is with a heavy heart that I share the news of the tragic deaths of three of our students who reportedly succumbed to injuries in a vehicular accident on Tuesday evening in Natchitoches Parish. Our thoughts are with their families, friends, classmates and other loved ones. All three young men were members of the Southern University Human Jukebox Marching Band, to which we also extend our condolences.
Southern University students, I know that the sudden loss of a classmate or friend can be devastating. I encourage you to reach out to someone you trust to talk about your feelings. Know that the University Counseling Center is also here to assist you. You can visit the Center, email counselingcenter@subr.edu or call 225-771-2480 during normal University business hours. You can also call the Holistic Behavior 24-Hour Crisis Hotline any time at 225-368-9602. For other resources, go to subr.edu/counselingcenter. Employees can also find community resources here.
While information is still being gathered during this difficult time, we fully respect the privacy of the families of our beloved students. We will share ways to remember them in the near future.
Dennis J. Shields, President-Chancellor
LSU’s Golden Band from Tigerland shared the following as the Baton Rouge community mourns:
We are heartbroken to learn of the passing of three Southern University Marching Band last night in a tragic vehicle accident in Natchitoches Parish. Please join us in sending prayers, condolences, and strength to their families and our colleagues in the Human Jukebox.
Golden Band from Tigerland
Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome shared her condolences and asks the community to join her in prayer:
My heart is with the families and loved ones of the three Southern University Band students who tragically died while traveling home for the holidays.
Please join me in prayer for peace and comfort for their families and Southern University in the days to come. The loss of their lives will have a lasting impact on those closest to them.
On behalf of the City of Baton Rouge, I extend my deepest condolences and offer whatever assistance we can provide to the Southern University community.
Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome
Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards tweeted the following:
We join the Southern University family and especially the Human Jukebox Marching Band in mourning the deep loss of the three students whose lives were tragically cut short after yesterday’s accident. #lagov
Governor John Bel Edwards
Grambling State University tweeted:
Grambling State University would like to express our deepest condolences to our @SouthernU_BR family in the loss of 3 band members due to a crash involving an 18-wheeler. #WeAreOne
Grambling State University
Louisiana Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser shared the following:
My heart is heavy after learning about the accident that killed 3 Human Jukebox Marching Band members. My prayers are with the friends and family of these Southern University and A&M College – Baton Rouge, LA students, whose lives were tragically cut short.
Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser
Cedar Hill Independent School District in Texas released the statement below:
The Cedar Hill Independent School District is saddened by the loss of two of our graduates, 19-year-old Broderick Moore and 21-year-old Dylan Young. These two men were respected and talented members of our Red Army Band and are sorely missed. Cedar Hill is a small-knit community and when one of us is suffering, we all feel it. We ask that you continue to pray for the families involved and for so many of our scholars who are grieving during this time.
CHISD Administration
The Southwestern Athletic Conference shared its condolences:
The Southwestern Athletic Conference would like to send sincere condolences to the Southern University community for the tragic loss of three band members. Our thoughts and prayers are with the friends and family members of all those impacted by this tragedy.
Southwestern Athletic Conference
Southern University Board of Supervisors’ chairman released the following statement to the university community:
I, along with members of the Southern University Board of Supervisors, was deeply saddened to learn of the tragic accident that occurred Tuesday night, which resulted in the loss of three of our brightest stars as they were traveling home to be with their families for the holiday break.
While we realize there is little that can be said to lessen the grief of these families, we want them to know that their sons will forever be members of Southern University and the Human Jukebox family. Their memories will live on through the band and their classmates. Please know that members of the Board and the entire Southern University Community grieve with the families of these young men and mourn their loss.
Edwin Shorty, Jr., chairman of Southern University System Board of Supervisors
The Louisiana Legislative Black Caucus chairman released the following statement:
On behalf of the Louisiana Legislative Black Caucus Chairman Vincent J. Pierre and Members – we are saddened by the sudden and tragic loss of three Southern University students and Marching Band members, Broderick Moore, Dylan Young, and Tyran Williams, killed by an 18-wheeler crash. “Our heartfelt thoughts and prayers go out to the families, students, friends, and loved ones as we mourn the loss of these exceptional students,” said Chairman Pierre. The Louisiana Legislative Black Caucus asks that you keep these families and their loved ones lifted in prayer during this difficult time.
Vincent J. Pierre, chairman of the Louisiana Legislative Black Caucus