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A Gloster man died early Tuesday morning when he crashed into a tree that had fallen across a Webster Parish roadway when storms passed through the ArkLaTex.
State police said Gene Latin, 65, was southbound around 4 a.m. on U.S. Highway 79 just north of Grider Road when he hit the downed tree and ran off the highway.
Latin was wearing a seatbelt but suffered fatal injuries. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Latin was employed as a lieutenant with the Louisiana Department of Corrections at David Wade Correctional Center. He was on duty at the time of the crash.
DOC officials said in a social media post that Latin was en route to Ochsner LSU Health hospital in Shreveport to perform security duties for prisoners admitted to the hospital.
Latin began his career with the Louisiana Department of Corrections in 2002 at Forcht-Wade Correctional Center and transferred to David Wade Correctional Center in 2012. He was promoted to Corrections lieutenant in September 2020 and served in that capacity until his death.
Lt. Latin is survived by his wife, Sally and three children.
"The Department and David Wade Correctional Center suffered a tremendous loss today,” said David Wade Correctional Center Deputy Warden Jake Baird. “Lt. Latin was a dedicated corrections professional and was respected by his coworkers and the prisoner population. He was thorough in his work and stayed busy for his entire shift and always had a genuine concern for his fellow employees and their safety. Lt. Latin had a positive attitude even in stressful situations and his character reflected his dedication to his duties. His tragic accident today will affect all who knew him. Please keep his family in your thoughts and prayers."