Three Southern University Human Jukebox band members hit, killed while changing flat tire

By Alison Brul

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 Gray of Coushatta.

All three victims were declared dead on the scene while Gray 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.