NOPD is investigating an early morning traffic fatality.

At 4:17 a.m. today (Mar. 16) officers responded to a traffic accident in the 9500 block of Hayne Boulevard. Upon arrival they found a silver Toyota 4-Runner on its roof, a badly damaged white Chevy Tahoe and approximately 500 feet of debris along the roadway. One male victim was located inside the Toyota and was pronounced dead at the scene.

Further investigation determined that the two vehicles had been racing eastbound along Hayne when they bumped into one another at the intersection of Trapier Avenue and Hayne. Both drivers lost control and the Toyota crashed into a store in the 9500 block and flipped over. The Chevy flipped several times, littering the roadway with debris. After the accident multiple occupants of the vehicles were observed fleeing the scene.

Investigators discovered that the Chevy Tahoe was reported stolen from Downman Road sometime after 10:30 p.m. last night (Mar. 15).

The Orleans Parish Coroner’s Office releases victims’ names and official causes of death.

If you have any information about this incident please contact Detective Tony Pontiff at 504-658-6237. Citizens with information that can help solve crimes are asked to call Crimestoppers at 504-822-1111 or toll-free 1-877-903-STOP.