Just before dawn on Friday, New Orleans police found an adult man lying in the westbound lanes of the Danziger Bridge and pronounced him dead at the scene after what they say was a hit-and-run. Officers were called to the 5400 block of Chef Menteur Highway around 3:54 a.m., where the victim was discovered in the roadway and the vehicle involved was nowhere to be found. Traffic Fatality detectives have opened an active investigation into the deadly crash.
According to NOPD News, Seventh District officers initially responded to a report of a person in the roadway and arrived to find an unidentified adult man in the westbound lanes of the Danziger Bridge. The Traffic Fatality Unit determined he had been struck by a vehicle that did not remain on scene, and investigators say their work remains ongoing. The department’s public affairs division issued the alert with details on how to submit tips.
The stretch of Chef Menteur Highway that feeds the Danziger Bridge has seen more than its share of serious crashes in recent months, a problem residents and safety advocates have been sounding the alarm about. Earlier this year, local coverage of a deadly crash on the corridor highlighted long-running concerns about speeding and pedestrian safety along the busy east west route. Neighborhood groups have continued to call for tougher enforcement and engineering fixes along Chef Menteur.
Investigators are now asking anyone who might have seen something, or who has dash-cam or cellphone video from the area around the time of the crash, to contact NOPD Traffic Fatality Unit detectives at 504-658-6205, as noted in the department’s release, or email the public affairs office at [email protected]. Anonymous tips can be submitted to CrimeStoppers of Greater New Orleans at 504-822-1111, toll free at 1-877-903-STOP, or online at crimestoppersgno.org. Police say the victim’s identity will be released after the Orleans Parish Coroner completes an autopsy and notifies next of kin.
Legal Implications
Under Louisiana law, leaving the scene of a crash that results in death can be prosecuted as hit-and-run driving and carries felony penalties when death or serious bodily injury occurs. The statute outlines potential penalties and mandatory minimums for fatal hit-and-run offenses; see La. R.S. 14:100 for details. Any formal charges will be decided by prosecutors after investigators and the coroner finish their work.
This story will be updated as police release more information and the coroner formally identifies the victim. Detectives emphasize that even brief or seemingly minor video clips can make a difference, and they urge anyone with information to reach out.
