NEW ORLEANS — The driver suspected of hitting a woman who was crossing the street on Mardi Gras was intoxicated and didn't have a license, proof of insurance or his headlights on at the time of the collision, police officials say.
36-year-old James Gibson faces a drunk driving charge, vehicular negligent injuring and several other charges after allegedly hitting a woman with a Buick sedan near St. Phillip Street and N. Claiborne Avenue on Tuesday around 7:30 p.m.
The woman was taken to the hospital in serious condition, New Orleans Police Department officials said. Witnesses at the scene said it looked like she had a broken leg.
Gibson was also hospitalized after he crashed shortly after hitting the woman, officials said. He was arrested after being released from treatment and transferred to the Orleans Parish Justice Center.
He faces charges of reckless operation of a motor vehicle, suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol, negligent injuring, and driving without a license/having a suspended license, no proof of insurance and without his lights on, police say.
Gibson's bond was set at $12,000 but because a parole hold for previous drug and firearm charges he is not bail-eligible, court records show.
NOPD detectives said the investigation into the collision was ongoing.
Editor's Note: A previous version of the report stated the woman struck in the crash was pregnant. The story has been corrected to reflect the victim was not pregnant, according to police officials.
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