The NOPD is investigating a fatal two-car crash that occurred this morning (August 11, 2023), in the 10,000 block of Almonaster Avenue.
At about 5:30 a.m., NOPD Seventh District officers responded to a call of a vehicle crash.
Upon further investigation, it was determined that an unknown Toyota SUV and a white sedan were both traveling east on Almonaster with the Toyota in the left lane and the sedan in the right lane.
For an unknown reason, the white sedan clipped the back of the SUV. The driver of the SUV lost control and careened into the neutral ground hitting a light pole. The white sedan came to a stop and caught fire, trapping the unknown driver inside the vehicle. The NOFD was called to put out the fire and the driver was pronounced deceased at the scene.
The driver of the SUV was uninjured and remained on scene.
The Orleans Parish Coroner will officially identify the victim in this incident upon completion of autopsy and notification of family.
Traffic Fatality Unit investigator Michael Baldassaro is in charge of the ongoing investigation.
Anyone with additional information that can assist in this investigation is urged to contact NOPD Traffic Fatality Unit investigators at 504-658-6205.
Have a question or correction? Please email NOPD’s Public Affairs Division at nopdpio@nola.gov.