A woman was struck and killed Thursday in New Orleans’ Desire neighborhood when a vehicle hit her on the 4900 block of Chef Menteur Highway and kept going, according to police. New Orleans EMS pronounced her dead at the scene.
Officers shut down the westbound lanes of the Danziger Bridge while they collected evidence, backing up traffic for drivers crossing the Industrial Canal as the evening commute turned into a crime scene.
What Police Say
According to WGNO, Seventh District officers are investigating the crash and confirmed the victim was pronounced dead where she was found. The Orleans Parish Coroner’s Office will release her name after an autopsy is completed and family members are notified.
Police told WGNO the driver took off before officers arrived. Detectives are urging anyone who saw the collision, or who might have information about the vehicle, to come forward.
Investigation and Road Impacts
Traffic Fatality detectives were assigned to the case, a standard move when a crash turns deadly. Their work shut down the Danziger Bridge’s westbound lanes, snarling traffic for commuters trying to get across the Industrial Canal…