A woman was killed Thursday in a collision at the intersection of Egania Street and North Claiborne Avenue in New Orleans' Lower Ninth Ward, authorities said. Emergency crews pronounced her dead at the scene, and the driver involved remained on site while police opened an investigation.
Officers responded to the crash at the Claiborne and Egania intersection on Thursday, and the New Orleans Police Department has launched a formal inquiry into the fatal wreck, according to WDSU. That report notes that the NOPD Traffic Fatality Unit is handling the case and confirms the driver did not flee.
Claiborne corridor safety concerns
This latest death adds to a pattern of serious crashes on Claiborne and other heavily traveled city corridors, fueling residents' calls for quicker safety fixes, better crossings, and street designs that give people on foot a fighting chance. South Claiborne Turns Deadly detailed a similar fatal collision earlier this spring.
The City of New Orleans is working on a Safe Streets for All Safety Action Plan that aims to pinpoint high-injury corridors and prioritize projects to cut down on crashes and deaths, according to the city's own planning materials. Nationally, pedestrian safety remains a major concern, with recent data underscoring the risk, according to the Governors Highway Safety Association.
Investigation and how to help
The NOPD Traffic Fatality Unit is leading the probe into Thursday's crash. Investigators routinely urge anyone who saw what happened, or who has relevant video, to reach out.
Based on prior public bulletins and press releases, people with information are typically asked to contact the Traffic Fatality Unit at (504) 658-6205 or call Crime Stoppers at (504) 822-1111 to submit anonymous tips. This story will be updated if officials release additional details on the victim or the circumstances of the collision.
