Louisiana Driver Sentenced to 30 Years in Connection with Hit-and-Run Crash that Killed a Construction Worker

Louisiana – Brady Ortego, a 44 year old construction worker, was killed in a hit-and-run crash on the Hale Boggs Bridge (I-310) on January 14, 2021, when he was struck by a vehicle and his body was thrown into the Mississippi River. Hunter Johnson, 23, was apprehended following a thorough investigation. Johnson was sentenced to 30 years in the Louisiana Department of Corrections on May 25, 2022 for vehicular homicide. The sentence is divided into 18 years in prison and 12 years of supervision following release. In addition, he was sentenced to 5 years in the Louisiana Department of Corrections for obstruction of justice. The sentences were ordered to run concurrently as a result of a plea agreement reached between the State of Louisiana and the defendant. On February 9, 2022, he pled guilty to both charges.

Johnson was immediately remanded to the custody of the Louisiana Department of Corrections following his sentencing. Johnson was arrested on March 12, 2021, after the Louisiana State Police conducted a lengthy and thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding Brady Ortego’s death. Mr. Ortego was killed when he was hit by a vehicle driven by Hunter Johnson in the early morning hours of January 14, 2021. At the time of his death, Mr. Ortego was working overnight on I-310 in St. Charles Parish.

Judge Timothy S. Marcel heard victim impact statements from Mr. Ortego’s mother, wife, stepdaughter, and sister before sentencing.

“I would first like to express my appreciation to the family of Brady Ortego for their patience and determination in seeing this case through to its just conclusion,” said District Attorney Joel T. Chaisson, II “This case presented investigatory challenges that required Trooper Lawrence Williams of the Louisiana State Police to utilize many different technological tools prior to seeking a warrant for the arrest of Hunter Johnson. The sentence imposed today is the culmination of the exemplary efforts of Trooper Williams, who worked tirelessly to ensure that his investigation was complete so that the right man was apprehended and held accountable, and the meticulous prosecution of the case by Assistant District Attorneys, Mark F. Lopez and J. William Starr. Nothing can bring Brady Ortego back, but I hope that this sentence can give his family the closure and justice that they deserve.”