News Summary
A man has been arrested after a hit-and-run incident in the French Quarter left a New Orleans police officer and an Orleans Parish Sheriff’s deputy injured. The driver, Mark Hunter Jr., fled the scene but was apprehended shortly after at a nearby parking garage. He faces several serious charges, including attempted second-degree murder and hit-and-run driving. The injured officer remains hospitalized while authorities emphasize their commitment to public safety amid the ongoing investigation.
New Orleans
A 23-year-old man from Belle Chasse has been arrested after a hit-and-run incident injured a New Orleans police officer and an Orleans Parish Sheriff’s deputy in the French Quarter late Friday night. The crash occurred just before midnight on July 18, 2025, near the bustling intersection of Bourbon and Conti streets.
According to police reports, officers on patrol noticed a blue Chevrolet Camaro performing “doughnuts” and exhibiting reckless driving behavior. When officers attempted to stop the vehicle, the driver accelerated and intentionally collided with both the officer and the deputy. The police officer suffered head injuries and was promptly transported to the hospital, where he remains in stable condition as of Saturday morning. The deputy was treated for his injuries at the scene.
The driver of the Camaro, identified as Mark Hunter Jr., fled the scene following the crash. However, law enforcement was able to follow him to a parking garage located in the 300 block of Canal Street, where he was apprehended shortly after midnight. Hunter was also taken to the hospital for injuries sustained during the incident before being booked into the Orleans Justice Center around 7 a.m. the next day.
Hunter faces multiple serious charges stemming from the incident, including two counts of attempted second-degree murder, obstruction of justice, aggravated assault with a dangerous weapon, and seven counts of hit-and-run driving. Following a court hearing on Saturday afternoon, a judge ordered Hunter to be held without bond. His next court appearance is scheduled for Tuesday, July 22, 2025.
At this time, there have been no further updates from the NOPD regarding the condition of the injured officer. Sheriff Susan Hutson expressed her concerns for the officer’s recovery while also commending the quick and courageous actions of her deputies during the crisis.
This is not Hunter’s first run-in with the law. He was involved in a previous incident in 2018, where he participated in a large dirt bike and ATV “rideout” that obstructed traffic on Interstate 10. The specifics of that incident are separate from the current charges he now faces.
As the investigation continues, the New Orleans community remains vigilant about public safety, especially in busy areas such as the French Quarter, where incidents like these can have widespread implications. Local authorities emphasize their commitment to ensuring the safety of both residents and visitors.
In summary, the hit-and-run incident that occurred late Friday night has raised serious concerns, and as the legal process unfolds, more details about Hunter’s actions and motivations may come to light.
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Additional Resources
- WWLTV News
- Wikipedia: New Orleans
- Fox 8 Live
- Google Search: NOPD officer hit-and-run
- NOLA.com
- Google Scholar: NOPD officer hit-and-run
- WBRZ News
- Encyclopedia Britannica: New Orleans
- WGNO News
- Google News: NOPD officer French Quarter
