NEW ORLEANS — The NOPD announced that officers have arrested Sani Alvarez Lopez, 24, for vehicular homicide in connection with Sunday night's fatal accident on Chef Menteur Highway.
Alvarez Lopez was arrested after being released from the hospital, where he was treated for minor injuries after the accident.
Investigators say they believe that he was the driver of the vehicle involved in the crash. Police also determined that the victim was not an adult female, as previously reported by police, but rather a 15-year-old juvenile.
Investigators say additional charges against Alvarez Lopez are possible.
The crash happened Sunday in the 6900 block of Chef Menteur Highway around 8 p.m.
According to investigators, the driver of a Ford Fusion was speeding and hit the back of a Nissan Maxima while driving westbound on Chef Menteur Highway.
"Upon clipping the back of Nissan, the driver of the Ford veered off the road and hit a tree and then struck a telephone pole near the intersection of Chef Menteur Highway and Chantilly Drive," NOPD said." "Investigators say the vehicle then flipped."
EMS took the juvenile and Lopez, who were in the Ford, to the hospital. The 15-year-old died a short time later.
Police said none of the occupants of the Nissan reported injuries.
Anyone with additional information that can help in the investigation is asked to contact NOPD Traffic Division Fatality Investigators at 504-658-6210.
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