Dione Duhe was killed 13 years ago crossing Airline Hwy; Her family still seeks answers
“Many sleepless nights. Many tears. Heartache. It’s still there because we have no clue,”
At Airline Highway and Belle Point Boulevard, just outside of LaPlace, is the intersection, where the life of Dione Duhe came to a sudden stop on October 14, 2009.
“It was the worst day, it’s still the worst day of my life,” said Duhe’s aunt Necohle Stanton.
Just nine months separate Stanton and Duhe in age. They grew up together and were more like sisters.
“Every graduation, from elementary to high school was with Dione,” said Stanton. “Everything I did was with Dione.”
The Driver Kept Going
Stanton says Duhe, 36, who had kidney problems, went to dialysis that morning. The machines at the clinic weren’t working, so Duhe walked across Arline Highway to a service station.
“She was walking across to get a newspaper. It was 5:45 in the morning and on her way back across to dialysis a car hit her while she was crossing the road,” said Stanton.
The driver kept going. Thirteen years later, the case remains unsolved.
“Many sleepless nights. Many tears. Heartache. It’s still there because we have no clue,” said Stanton.
There aren’t many clues at all. Stanton says the only thing found at the scene is a piece of plastic from a car headlight. Authorities believe it’s from a dark-colored Ford Mustang, most likely between model years 1994 to 1998. Family members relive that day every time they see a car that matches that description.
“It’s something that nags at you and nags at you and you’re always wondering is this the car,” said Stanton.
State police are handling the investigation. No one from Troop B made themselves available for an interview, but the agency did release a statement.
“The Louisiana State Police are committed to conducting a thorough investigation into all crashes. At present, no new leads have been uncovered in the hit-and-run crash involving Ms. Duhe. If anyone has any information regarding this crash, they are encouraged to contact Troop B at 504-471-2775. It is unfortunate that Ms. Duhe's family is unable to find the closure they so desperately need.”
A Small Solace
“I need to know why you didn’t just stop. Why was she not important enough for you to just stop to see if maybe there was something you could do,” said Duhe’s other aunt Mechelle Stanton.
Mechelle Stanton says a woman getting gas at that service station that morning rushed over to Duhe. The woman didn’t see what happened, only heard it. The family didn’t find out until much later.
“For me, that was the hardest part, thinking she died alone, and it wasn’t until seven years later we found out that she wasn’t alone. Someone was there. She was not out there by herself in her last minutes,” said Mechelle Stanton.
That’s the only bit of relief the family has.
They continue to do walks and vigils. They pass out flyers and put up signs. They even put a memorial at that intersection, hoping to bring attention to the case and tips to Crimestoppers.
“My sister and I were the closest out of all the siblings,” said Duhe’s youngest brother Desmond James.
Duhe was one of six siblings and had no kids of her own. Her younger brother, Desmond James, says she was always looking after him.
“The person who’s responsible for killing my sister, you don’t know what you took from me,” said James.
“I could understand if you stopped, if you tried to help her, it was an accident, we could understand that but when you decided to leave that’s where it was like, she didn’t mean nothing to nobody and she did,” said Necohle Stanton. “She has a family that loved her.”
A Family's Love Continues
It’s a love that runs deep. Before her death, Duhe was preparing for a kidney donation from aunt Necohle, who was a perfect match.
“I had to lose five more pounds,” said Necohle Stanton. “Her own siblings didn’t match her. I matched her.”
Unable to make that donation of life, it’s now the memories that keep Duhe part of the family.
“She loved to dress. She loved makeup. You never saw her with her hair not done because her hair stayed laid,” said Mechelle Stanton.
As days turn into weeks, weeks into months, and months into years, Duhe’s family holds on to their faith in God and isn’t giving up the hope they’ve had from day one. They just know it’ll never be easy.
“We have to live with that every day, not knowing. It’s something that eats at you. You don’t forget it. you just have to learn to bear it,” said Necohle Stanton.
There is a $2,500 Crimestoppers reward in this case. All tips are anonymous. Anyone with information can call Crimestoppers at 504-822-1111.
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