Convent, LA : Woman dead in hit-and-run crash in St.James Parish on Sunday, March 8, 2015

State police say a Vacherie woman was killed in a hit-and-run accident that happened early Sunday morning. The accident happened just before 6:00 am at the intersection of LA Hwy 3213 and LA Hwy 3215 in St. James Parish.

Investigators at the scene of the crash say Corey Newton, 24, was driving east on LA Hwy 3125, while Brittany Harris, 25, was driving north on LA Hwy 3213. As both vehicles approached the intersection, Newton ran through the red light and struck Harris' vehicle on the driver's side. Her vehicle then left the road and hit a utility pole.

Harris was not wearing a seat belt at the time and suffered fatal injuries in the crash. She was pronounced dead at the scene. Impairment is not suspected on her part.

After the crash Newton fled the scene on foot into a wooded area. He was taken into custody a short time later by the St. James Parish Sheriff's Office and booked with Negligent Homicide, Reckless Operation and Hit-and-run Driving. Police do believe Newton was intoxicated at the time of the crash. A toxicology sample has been submitted for analysis.

Source :
Woman killed in hit-and-run accident in St. James Parish