A New Orleans Police officer was run down as he was directing traffic after having been involved in a traffic accident. The officer was going home after his shift when he hit a stalled vehicle on a Louisiana road. Reports indicate that he had gotten out of his vehicle to make sure that the occupants of that vehicle were uninjured and to direct traffic away from the car accident when he himself was struck.
When the officer saw the vehicle that hit him approaching, he tried to wave it away from the accident. Unfortunately, the car kept barreling toward the scene. It first hit the officer’s vehicle, and then the officer. His body was carried on top of the car before it slammed to the ground and the car fled the scene.
Sometime later, the driver of that car surrendered himself to police. He claimed that he was unable to see the officer because it was dark. However, the officer was still in his police uniform and was wearing a reflective vest when he died. The vehicle had been reportedly making erratic moves in and out of traffic and was speeding just prior to the incident.
The driver has been charged with hit-and-run and manslaughter. Two other people have also been charged for being accessories after the fact. Police say that more arrests could be forthcoming as the investigation continues. The family may exercise their right under Louisiana law to file a wrongful death claim against the party or parties deemed responsible for the officer’s death. The family may also be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits if the department determines that he was on duty at the time of the car accident.
Source: fox8live.com, “Three arrested in fatal hit and run of NOPD officer,” July 9, 2013