New Orleans police are looking for the driver who hit a 13-year-old special-needs student in Algiers on Friday morning, then took off without stopping, according to investigators. The child was crossing the street on the way to school when the vehicle struck and threw the student about 10 feet, police said. The victim was taken to a hospital for trauma treatment, and Fourth District detectives have appealed to the public for help finding the driver.
Crash Details and Suspect Vehicle
The crash was reported around 8:09 a.m. at General Meyer Avenue and Farragut Street, when the student was hit while crossing, New Orleans police said. Witnesses reported seeing a white Jeep Cherokee headed west. Investigators say the SUV had noticeable front-end damage and no license plate, and that the driver kept going instead of stopping to help, as reported by WGNO.
Why This Stretch Matters
General Meyer Avenue is a busy West Bank artery where parents, residents and school staff have long worried about pedestrian safety. The same corridor has seen other serious incidents, including a deadly hit-and-run last October. That earlier case, a fatal hit-and-run on General Meyer, left neighbors on edge and underscored how dangerous the roadway can be for people on foot.
How to Help Investigators
Detectives are asking anyone with information, surveillance video or dashcam footage to come forward. Tipsters can contact Fourth District detectives at 504-658-6040, or call Crimestoppers at 504-822-1111 to leave an anonymous tip. Police are especially interested in any details about the white Jeep Cherokee, including its direction of travel, visible damage and even partial plate information, according to WGNO.
Legal Consequences
Louisiana’s hit-and-run law requires any driver involved in a crash to stop, provide identification and give reasonable aid to anyone who is hurt. Leaving the scene when someone is injured can be charged as a felony under La. R.S. 14:100. For the statute and penalties, see La. R.S. 14:100 on FindLaw.
