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It was supposed to be the highest of highs – the shining moment of a young man’s life.
But instead it ended in tragedy, a series of unfortunate circumstances that have friends and family members asking questions of ‘Why?’ and ‘How?.’
Tyler Dufrene, 17, of Gheens, graduated from Central Lafourche High School last Wednesday night – the culmination of his hard work academically and a celebration of the friendships he’d made and the relationships he’d built between he and his classmates.
But Dufrene never was able to sit in a college classroom, nor was he able to enjoy summer break with his friends.
Dufrene was instead pronounced dead this weekend at University Hospital in New Orleans – just days after his 1997 Jeep Cherokee was struck head-on by a 2005 Chevy Silverado, driven by Michael Costello, a suspected drunken driver now facing serious charges and possible prison time for his alleged crime.
The incident is a week old now, but talking about it still feels like pouring alcohol on a ripe wound to those most closely involved.
Dufrene’s close friend Joy Nell (who also graduated that night) opened up about her friend this week, touting that he was “the best in the world,” adding that his family is being as strong as one could expect given the tragedy.
“Tyler was an amazing guy,” Nell said. “He was really funny. It didn’t matter what kind of mood you were in before, because as soon as you got around him, you’d be laughing. … Honestly, if it wasn’t for Tyler, I probably wouldn’t have enjoyed graduation, because he was cracking jokes behind me the whole time.”
DUFRENE’S PERSONALITY
WAS BRIGHT
Jokes on graduation night were just par for the course for Dufrene – a youngster described by his loved ones as “a character” and a “prankster.”
Nell remembers her friend in that same light, remembering a young man that loved playing baseball, driving his truck and skateboarding during his spare time.
“He was the kind of person that would say mean stuff to you, but it’s like you just laughed and smiled because you knew he wasn’t trying to hurt your feelings – somehow it’d always make people laugh and feel better about themselves,” Nell said. “Tyler was always here to listen to me no matter what the problem may have been. He always knew what to say. Even in the hardest times, he could immediately put a smile on my face.”
But graduation was big for Dufrene, who was an average student throughout his academic career. It was a day that he had looked forward to for weeks, according to those closest to him. One of the young man’s last moments on earth was among his most memorable: He got to hear his name called in the Trojans’ auditorium while he walked down the stage to pick up his diploma.
“Tyler reached his main goal in life that night – to graduate high school,” Nell remembers. “He had the biggest smile on his face for graduation, and when he walked across, his face absolutely lit up.”
After getting out of the graduation ceremonies, Dufrene got into his car and was heading southbound on La. Highway 1 when Costello’s Silverado crossed the centerline and rammed Dufrene head-on.
The young man was rushed to New Orleans where he was pronounced brain dead at 2:22 p.m. Thursday afternoon.
He was placed on life support to allow his organs to be preserved for the donation process.
He was pronounced dead Saturday morning at around 9 a.m.
Dufrene’s mother, Angela Sampey, was not made available for comment during information gathering for this piece.
But Nell said that the mother told her son that she loved him during their last conversation Wednesday night.
“I was actually supposed to be with Tyler the night of the accident,” Nell remembers. “I regret it so much. Whenever I got home, I heard ambulances and cops rushing past my house, but that’s a normal thing to hear. My best friend called me later and told me, ‘Joy, Tyler got in a bad accident. A drunken driver hit him head-on, and I think he has brain damage.’ I freaked out. I cried. I just remember hanging up the phone and running outside to tell my dad. All that went through my head was, ‘Why did I not go with him? I know if I wouldn’t went, we would have stayed at his house. He wouldn’t have driven anywhere, but home that night.
“Tyler is loved by many. His story is a life lesson. He didn’t deserve this, but everything happens for a reason. We have to just remember that.
TYLER’S STORY OVERTAKES
SOCIAL MEDIA
In the hours after the crash, Nell decided to channel her energy in a position direction. The young woman created a Facebook page, titled ‘PRAYERS FOR TYLER’, a group that has garnered more than 7,770 likes over the past week from friends, relatives and complete strangers who felt the need to log on and share their thoughts and prayers with the young man and his family.
Nell said when she made the group that she had no idea that it would explode into a page that would be followed by so many people.
On it, friends shared countless stories and recollections of the young man’s life, giving some of the funniest things Tyler did in his life.
“Fly high, my brother,” one user posted on the group’s wall.
“I don’t know you or your family, but I wanted to spread my love and sympathy and send prayers for the family and friends of Tyler at this sad time,” another poster said. “I know he will be missed, but I also know he will NEVER be forgotten. God Bless and sending love from Wyoming.”
The kind words and messages were therapeutic to the group. It was something that they needed to come to grips with the realization that their friend was no longer here on this earth.
“It’s hard,” Nell said. “Prayers to the family are helping them, as well. Everyone’s support is overwhelming. It’s helping them get through this situation as best as can be expected.”
SUSPECT CHARGED, ADDITIONAL CHARGES PENDING
Immediately following the crash, Costello, 20, of Golden Meadow, was taken to St. Anne General Hospital where he was treated for minor injuries and released.
When he was released, he was taken into custody of the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office, who charged him with first-degree vehicular negligent injuring, operating a vehicle while intoxicated and failure to drive on the right side of the road.
Now that Dufrene has passed away, authorities with both Louisiana State Police Troop C and the LPSO will convene with Lafourche District Attorney Cam Morvant in the coming days to discuss whether to charge Costello with vehicular homicide – a charge that could carry hefty penalties upon conviction.
Nell refused to comment on Costello or the drunken driving situation. That situation will play out in the courts and will be decided by folks with badges and gavels.
But none of it will bring Tyler back. That’s the only thing that would truly do justice for these folks who miss their friend, cousin, son, jokester, baseball player and everything else the young man was.
“We’re going to miss him,” Nell said. “He’s never going to be forgotten.”
Seventeen-year-old Tyler Dufrene is pictured with his trademark smile – a grin that made those around him feel warm in times of need. The local teenager was killed by a suspected drunk driver this week – just hours after graduating from Central Lafourche High School.
