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UPDATE: NOPD Investigating Traffic Fatality in Seventh District

by Aaron E. Looney

August 15, 2021

Categories: On Duty

Topics: Seventh District, Traffic Fatality/Hit and Run

UPDATE: NOPD Investigating Traffic Fatality in Seventh District

UPDATE: The signal for this incident has been changed from a hit-and-run fatality to a traffic fatality.

Through further investigation, NOPD Traffic Fatality Unit investigators have learned that the driver and occupants of the striking vehicle were transported from the scene to the hospital by EMS. The names of these patients were not provided to detectives at the hospital the morning of the crash, leading detectives to initially believe the occupants had fled the scene. A relative of the striking vehicle’s driver contacted NOPD on August 15, upon seeing media coverage of the incident. The driver of the vehicle has since spoken with detectives and is cooperating with this ongoing investigation.

Anyone with additional information on this incident is asked to contact NOPD Traffic Fatality Investigator Edgar Edwards at 504-658-6205 or to call Crimestoppers of Greater New Orleans at 504-822-1111.

 

ORIGINAL RELEASE: The NOPD is investigating a hit-and-run traffic fatality that occurred during the overnight hours today (August 15, 2021) on Interstate 10 East at Chef Menteur Highway.

At about 1:37 a.m., NOPD Seventh District officers responded to a report of two vehicles involved in a crash at the location. The adult male driver of one the vehicles had reportedly exited his vehicle and was struck by a third passing vehicle. The unknown occupants of the third vehicle reportedly abandoned their vehicle and fled the scene on foot.

The victim was transported via EMS to a local hospital, where he was pronounced deceased at about 3:42 a.m.

Based on the investigation, the signal for the incident was later changed to a hit-and-run crash with a fatality.

No additional information is available at this time. The Orleans Parish Coroner will officially identify the victim in this incident upon completion of autopsy and notification of family.

Anyone with additional information on this incident is asked to contact NOPD Traffic Fatality Investigator Edgar Edwards at 504-658-6205 or to call Crimestoppers of Greater New Orleans at 504-822-1111.