The NOPD is investigating a fatal motorcycle crash that occurred today (May 18, 2019) on Interstate I-10 West, at the Airline Highway exit.
At about 4:00 a.m., Third District officers responded to a call of a vehicle accident with injury at the location. Upon arrival, investigators discovered that a male operating a motorcycle was traveling westbound on Interstate I-10 West, while taking the Airline Highway exit. For unknown reasons, the motorcycle operator failed to negotiate the elevated curve and lost control, struck the guardrail and was ejected. The motorcycle operator landed on the ground, in the grassy area. He sustained fatal injuries in the crash and was pronounced deceased at the scene.
Investigation into the incident is ongoing. The Orleans Parish Coroner's Office will release the victim's name and cause of death, upon autopsy and notification of family.
No further information is available at this time.
Traffic Fatality Investigator Edgar Edwards is in charge of the ongoing investigation and can be reached at 658-6215 with any information regarding this incident.
The New Orleans Police Department would like to encourage all riders to take an approved motorcycle safety course. These courses teach safe riding practices and help you apply safe riding strategies that can help reduce your chance of injury should a crash occur. Making good choices while riding a motorcycle, such as never driving while impaired and obeying all traffic laws, can often mean the difference between life and death.
# # #