New Orleans, Louisiana – A tragic incident occurred on Tuesday, September 24, 2024, at around 2 pm, when a three-vehicle crash on I-610 west, near Canal Boulevard, in Orleans Parish, claimed the life of 23-year-old Eric Anthony Jr. of New Orleans, Louisiana. At the time of the crash, Anthony was working as a Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) Motorist Assistance Patrol (MAP) Operator.
According to the preliminary investigation by Louisiana State Police Troop B, the crash happened as Anthony was assisting the driver of a disabled 2007 Chevrolet Avalanche. Anthony was operating a fully marked 2018 Dodge Ram MAP emergency vehicle, which was parked on the right shoulder behind the Chevrolet. The Dodge had its emergency lights activated, an illuminated signboard on the top of the vehicle, and traffic cones placed on the shoulder behind it.
At the same time, 26-year-old Oscar G. Perez-Moran of Arabi, Louisiana was driving a 2020 Nissan Rogue west on I-610 near the Canal Boulevard exit. For reasons still under investigation, the Nissan traveled off the roadway onto the right shoulder, striking Anthony. The Nissan then struck the rear of the Dodge before rotating and impacting the Chevrolet.
Anthony suffered serious injuries and was transported to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The driver of the Chevrolet was uninjured and was not inside the vehicle at the time of the crash. Perez-Moran, who was unrestrained, sustained minor injuries and was transported to a local hospital for treatment. As part of the ongoing investigation, routine toxicology samples were obtained for analysis.
Perez-Moran was arrested and will be booked into the Orleans Parish Jail upon release from the hospital for negligent homicide and other traffic-related charges.
The incident highlights the importance of Louisiana’s Move Over Law, which requires drivers to move over an entire lane if it is safe to do so when approaching any emergency vehicle with emergency lights illuminated on the shoulder of a roadway with two or more lanes traveling in the same direction. If it is not safe to move over, drivers must slow down to an appropriate speed. This law also applies to any vehicle that uses visual signals, such as emergency hazard lights, parked on or near the highway.
Louisiana State Police urges drivers to exercise caution when approaching emergency vehicles and to always follow the Move Over Law to ensure the safety of emergency responders and other road users.
An arrest is an indication that probable cause exists to believe the subject was involved in the offense alleged. All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty.