On the day that Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal was to officially open an expansion of I-49 in north Caddo Parish, a fatal accident occurred at its intersection with LA Hwy. 71.

Daniel Durbin, 34, of Eufaula, OK, was traveling northbound on Hwy. 71 when he ran into the back of a Jeep Liberty that was stopped for a red light at the 71 / I-49 intersection. The light, which officials said was working properly, was just made operational this morning. DOT crews were still in the area monitoring its operation when the accident occurred.

Durbin said he was distracted by a dog he was traveling with when his F-150 truck hit the back of the Jeep, according to Sheriff's Cpl. Ken Davis. The backseat passenger in the Jeep, 26-year-old Tyler Waggoner, was transported to University Health by North Caddo Ambulance where he later died. No address for Waggoner was available.

Three others in the Jeep were also taken to University Health for minor to moderate injuries. They are driver Kendrick Blackmon, 39, of Texarkana, Texas; and passengers Lawrence Cursh, 31, of Hooks, Texas; and Quentin Helms, 24, of Fouke, Arkansas.

Durbin was not injured. He was issued a citation for careless operation.

The accident remains under investigation by the Caddo Sheriff's Traffic Safety Unit.