Katlin Wayne Powell, 31, of DeRidder, Louisiana, was driving a 1991 Peterbilt west on Hwy 112 when a 2015 Chevrolet Tahoe stopped in front of him to make a left turn onto Hwy 377. Powell did not see the stopped SUV and slammed the brakes to avoid hitting it.
While Powell was braking, the utility poles on the trailer shifted forward and smashed into the truck’s cab. Powell was pronounced dead at the scene.
Video: Whitney Holden
A convoy of 18-wheelers made their way through DeRidder on Monday, Dec. 19 as part of the funeral procession for Powell. The funeral procession was led by the same powder blue Peterbilt truck that Powell once owned, fixed up, and later sold. It was driven by its new owner as a tribute to the man who relatives say lived for truck driving.
“I don’t have the words for what this felt like, other than emotional. I know Amber and their babies felt the love of their community for Katlin Powell and their entire family. I said it the day it happened & I will say it again, when one of our trucking families hurt, we all hurt with them. Today we all stood together to honor one of ours & our roads were lined up from start to finish with people to pay their respect during his final ride. Thank you, everyone, you will never know what that means to this family.”
Whitney Holden on Facebook
Whitney Holden, a family friend, filmed the convoy as it passed through town. The procession was organized by Powell’s relatives so that he could have one last ride.
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