SHREVEPORT, La. — Authorities have identified 47-year-old Anthony Barone as the victim of a deadly wrong-way crash that occurred late Friday night on Interstate 49 near Highway 170 in Caddo Parish. The tragic collision left one man dead and another critically injured, prompting a full investigation by local authorities.
According to the Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office (CPSO), deputies were called to the scene around 9:13 p.m. on November 7 following reports of a two-vehicle crash. Investigators determined that a dark-colored SUV, driven by Barone, was traveling northbound in the southbound lanes of I-49 when it collided head-on with a white pickup truck.
Emergency responders arrived quickly but were unable to save Barone, who was pronounced dead at 9:31 p.m. by the Caddo Parish Coroner’s Office. The driver of the pickup truck sustained life-threatening injuries and was airlifted by LifeAir to a nearby hospital for emergency treatment. Authorities have not yet released an update on that individual’s condition.
The crash caused significant damage to both vehicles and forced authorities to temporarily close the affected section of I-49 while investigators reconstructed the scene. The CPSO Traffic Safety Unit collected evidence and witness statements to determine how Barone’s vehicle ended up traveling the wrong way. Officials have not yet confirmed whether impairment or distraction played a role in the collision.
News of Barone’s death has deeply saddened those who knew him. Friends and community members describe him as a hardworking, kind, and generous man who always had a smile to share. “He was the kind of person who would help anyone in need,” one friend said. “It’s heartbreaking to lose him like this.”
The Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office continues to investigate the incident and is urging anyone who may have witnessed the crash or seen the SUV before the collision to come forward. As the community grieves, loved ones remember Anthony Barone not for the tragedy of his passing, but for the warmth, humor, and compassion he brought to those around him.
