Rising Pedestrian Fatalities Spark Concern in New Orleans

News Summary

New Orleans has witnessed a disturbing increase in pedestrian fatalities, with multiple incidents resulting in deaths and injuries over the past week. A series of accidents, including a hit-and-run, highlight the urgent need for improved road safety measures and awareness among both drivers and pedestrians. Local law enforcement is urging the community to stay vigilant and report any information regarding these tragic events.

New Orleans is facing a troubling rise in pedestrian fatalities, with several separate incidents occurring over the past week, resulting in multiple deaths and injuries.

Early Monday morning, just before 5:45 a.m., a man was struck and killed by a car on Airline Highway, near the intersection of Airline Highway and Eagle Street in the Dixon neighborhood. The victim was crossing the highway when he was hit by a northbound 2021 Dodge driven by an adult male. Emergency responders found the pedestrian unresponsive at the scene, and he was pronounced dead shortly thereafter by New Orleans EMS. The driver of the Dodge remained on the scene and has not been cited or charged. The Orleans Parish Coroner’s Office will release the identity of the deceased man pending family notification.

This fatal incident follows a separate hit-and-run that occurred on Saturday morning around 2:05 a.m. on the Crescent City Connection bridge. An individual was struck and killed by a vehicle whose driver, identified as 31-year-old Donya Holmes, allegedly left the scene. The victim was later pronounced dead by New Orleans EMS. The Orleans Parish Coroner’s Office will also conduct an autopsy on this victim and will release their identity after notifying family members.

Additionally, on Thursday at approximately 10:24 a.m., three pedestrians were struck by a vehicle near the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival at the intersection of Gentilly Boulevard and Lapeyrouse Street. The driver, operating a blue and white seafood box truck, remained at the scene. Witness accounts described one victim as having visible injuries, including blood on her face. Emergency services transported all victims to a hospital for treatment. The intersection was cleared by 12:10 p.m. following the incident.

On Tuesday, March 11, another pedestrian fatality was reported when a man was struck and killed at around 8:10 p.m. on Elysian Fields Avenue. In this incident, a second pedestrian, an adult woman, was also struck and subsequently taken to the hospital in critical condition. According to the driver of the Nissan Altima involved, the pedestrians appeared in the road while he had a green traffic light and could not avoid them. No additional details have been released by the New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) regarding these recent pedestrian fatalities or the identities of the victims.

The New Orleans community is now urged to be more cautious, with local law enforcement calling on anyone with information about any of these incidents to contact the Traffic Fatality Unit at 504-658-6205. The alarming increase in pedestrian fatalities emphasizes the critical need for both drivers and pedestrians to remain vigilant and adhere to traffic regulations.

As the number of pedestrian casualties continues to climb, the importance of road safety in New Orleans cannot be overstated. Increased awareness and education around pedestrian rights and responsibilities may play a crucial role in preventing future tragedies.

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Additional Resources

• WWLTV: Pedestrian Killed on Airline Highway
• WDSU: Deadly Hit-and-Run on CCC Bridge
• NOLA: Three Pedestrians Struck Near Jazz Fest
• Fox 8: Pedestrian Killed, Another Injured
• Al Jazeera: Truck Crashes into New Orleans Crowd