The NOPD is investigating a single vehicle crash that claimed the life of a 54-year old male driver and injured a 53-year-old female passenger.

At around 1:25 p.m., Fourth District officers responded to a call of a vehicle crash near the intersection of General DeGaulle Drive and Marr Avenue. Upon arrival, officers discovered an unresponsive male victim trapped inside the white 1998 Dodge van and the female passenger suffering from injuries.

Through the course of the investigation, Traffic Fatality detectives learned that the vehicle was traveling westbound on General Degaulle Drive when the driver lost control, veered off the road and struck the Crescent City Connection bridge wall. The female passenger was transported to the hospital by EMS where she was listed in stable condition.

NOFD used the Jaws of Life to successfully extract the deceased body.

Blood and alcohol tests are pending and the investigation is ongoing.

The Orleans Parish Coroner's Office will determine official cause of death and release the victim's name, upon completion of autopsy and notification of family.

Traffic Fatality Investigator Danny Ellis is in charge of the ongoing investigation and can be reached at 504-658-6205 with any information on this incident.

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