MARRERO, La. -- An off-duty NOPD officer was killed after his car apparently broke down on the elevated expressway and a multiple-vehicle crash ended up sending him over the railing to the ground below.
The officer who died was identified by the NOPD as Tony Mitchell, 45, who was a 19-year veteran of the police department. He was currently assigned to the Eighth District.
NOPD Supt. Michael Harrison spent the morning with Mitchell's family. He leaves behind a wife and two young children.
"It's the hardest thing I have to do, to knock on a family's door and tell them that their loved one has died," Harrison said.
The fatal crash occurred near the westbound expressway just past the Barataria exit on Friday morning around 7:30 a.m.
According to State Police, Mitchell was driving a 2001 Ford F-150 when it experienced mechanical problems and he pulled to the left shoulder, got out of the vehicle and began signaling cars to go around his.
State Police said Mitchell’s vehicle was partially on the left shoulder and partially in the left lane of the expressway between the Barataria and Ames exits when a 2012 Honda Civic with a woman and small child inside stopped in the left lane to avoid Mitchell. The driver was trying to move into the center lane when a 2011 Chrysler 200, driven by 23-year-old Corutney Slugher struck the Civic from behind. The impact caused the Civic to push forward and strike Mitchell who was thrown over the left guard rail. Mitchell fell approximately 40 feet to the ground level. He was pronounced dead on the scene.
"I don't know if he was working on it," said Dr. Gerry Cvitanovich, the Jefferson Parish Coroner. "I'm not sure what the sequence was, there was a several-car collision that ultimately struck him and threw him over the side."
The driver of the Civic and her one-year-old child suffered minor injuries and were taken to a local hospital. They were both wearing seatbelts, according to State Police.
Slugher, who was also belted, received minor injuries and was also taken to the hospital.
Troopers believe the speed of the Chrysler is a factor of the crash. Impairment is not suspected. The crash remains under investigation and criminal charges are pending.