Beloved North Caddo Magnet High Coach ID’d As Victim In Thursday Pickup Vs Dump Truck Crash

CADDO PARISH, LA. (THECOUNT) — Les Mason, of Vivian, LA, has been identified as the victim in a fatal Louisiana Highway 169 pickup-vs-dump truck crash.

Mason, 56, was traveling on Louisiana Highway 169 what a Caddo Parish Public Works dump truck pulled out onto his path, the Sheriff’s Office reports.

A North Caddo Magnet High teacher, Mason worked nearly 30 years as a special education teacher and assistant football coach in Caddo School District and the North Caddo community.

Mason was taken to North Caddo Medical Center in Vivian, where he was pronounced dead.

The dump truck driver, 62-year-old Rodessa resident Willie Jackson, was taken to University Health for treatment of his injuries. source

The dump truck driver was also cited for failure to yield.

Caddo School District issued a statement Thursday afternoon saying, “It is with heavy hearts we confirm the passing of Lester ‘Les’ Mason.”

Mason “… was a product of North Caddo and proudly served his community throughout his tenure with the district.”

He began his career in Caddo as a teacher at Vivian Elementary/Middle.

“By 1998, he had come home to the school he loved dearly, North Caddo High School, and served there until his untimely passing,” says the School District’s statement.

“Les was more than a teacher or coach for North Caddo. He was a father figure, family member and confidante to so many who knew him,” said Annie Cherry, principal at North Caddo High. “He was loved immensely not only at this campus but in our community.

“His loss will be felt for years and his legacy will always be a part of our school community.”

Vivian is a town in Caddo Parish, Louisiana, United States and is home to the Red Bud Festival. The population was 3,671 at the 2010 census, down from 4,031 in 2000.Wikipedia