A violent confrontation on a Violet street ended in tragedy Monday night when a 16-year-old boy was dragged and then run over by a van, according to St. Bernard Parish authorities. Deputies arrived to find the teen lying in the roadway and rushed him to a hospital, where he later died. Detectives say it started when the teenager walked up to a parked van and got into an altercation with the driver; as the van pulled away with the two still in contact, the victim was struck and fatally injured.
What detectives say
Investigators with the St. Bernard Parish Sheriff’s Office say deputies were called around 9 p.m. Monday to the 2200 block of Meraux Lane after someone reported a person down in the road. Surveillance footage reviewed by detectives appears to show the teen approaching a white Chevrolet van and engaging with the driver. According to detectives, “the victim and driver remained in physical contact through the driver-side window” while the driver tried to pull off, and the van dragged the teen before running him over and stopping. The driver was later identified as a 15-year-old, taken into custody, and booked on counts of negligent homicide and hit-and-run resulting in death, as reported by Fox 8 (WVUE).
Charges and legal context
Authorities have charged the juvenile with negligent homicide and hit-and-run resulting in death, both criminal offenses under Louisiana law. Negligent homicide is defined as “the killing of a human being by criminal negligence” and can carry a prison sentence of up to five years. Hit-and-run that results in a death is a separate felony that can bring significantly longer potential sentences. Prosecutors commonly cite Louisiana’s negligent homicide statute, RS 14:32, as outlined by Justia, and the hit-and-run driving statute, RS 14:100, summarized by Justia.
Investigation ongoing
The sheriff’s office says the investigation is still active as detectives review video and interview witnesses. Anyone with information is urged to call the St. Bernard Parish Sheriff’s Office tip line at (504) 271-2501 or the Criminal Investigations Bureau tip hotline at (504) 271-TIPS (8477); Crimestoppers GNO can also be reached at (504) 822-1111, according to the St. Bernard Parish Sheriff’s Office. Officials have not released the names of either the victim or the 15-year-old suspect, and investigators say the inquiry remains ongoing, as reported by Fox 8 (WVUE).
