A 4-year old boy was killed and a 45-year old man seriously injured when they were struck by at least one vehicle while crossing the street in the 3000 block of North Street around 5:40pm on November 12th. The pair was attempting to cross four lanes of traffic in the dark, moving south to north, not at a crosswalk or intersection, when they were hit by an eastbound car, knocked into the westbound lanes, and then possibly hit or run over again by an unknown car traveling westbound.

Preliminary witness statements at the scene were that a white Dodge Charger headed eastbound in the right hand lane initially struck the two pedestrians, knocking them into another eastbound car, a 1999 Volkswagen Beetle, which was traveling behind the Charger but in the left hand lane. The Charger did not slow or stop. The Volkswagen did, and that driver was contacted and interviewed by police at the scene.

Upon further investigation of physical evidence at the scene, interviews with additional witnesses and reviews of video surveillance cameras in the area, investigators now believe that the initial witnesses were mistaken. Investigators now believe that the white Dodge Charger in the right lane never actually struck the pedestrians, and that the initial contact was made by the Volkswagen in the left lane. The driver of the Volkswagen is identified as VERNON BROUSSARD, 46, 1249 AUDUBON AVENUE. Broussard did stop at the scene and was interviewed by officers. He indicated that he never saw the pedestrians prior to impact and therefore did not know whether another vehicle had hit them first or not. Investigators believe it is possible that Broussard’s view of the pedestrians may have been obscured by another vehicle traveling in the right hand lane behind the Charger and next to the Volkswagen. Broussard showed no indications of impairment or alcohol usage at the scene.

Evidence shows that immediately after impact both pedestrians slid into a westbound lane of traffic and that a dark colored, small to mid-size four door car traveling westbound in the left hand lane may have been unable to avoid running over one or both of the victims. The investigation shows that car did initially stop near the scene but the driver was never identified by or interviewed by officers. Investigators are asking that the driver of this vehicle, or anyone knowing the identity of the driver of this vehicle, contact police, so that a statement can be obtained.

The adult pedestrian is identified as JOHNNY KELLY, 45, 846 PROGRESS. The child is identified as ANDRE WILLIAMS, 4, UNKNOWN ADDRESS. Relatives at the hospital indicated Kelly is a family friend and possibly Williams’ Godfather. There was also evidence that Kelly,who is expected to recover, had been drinking and may have been intoxicated at the time of the crash.

UPDATE:

The driver of the westbound car that is believed to have struck one or both of the pedestrians in the fatal crash that occurred on 11/12/09 in the 3000 block of North Street has now come forward and been interviewed by investigators. She is a 70-year old Port Allen woman. Evidence indicates her car did contact one or both pedestrians, but only after they were already hit by an eastbound car and knocked into her lane of travel. At this time the investigation is continuing and no charges have been filed against anyone involved in the crash.

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Sgt. Don Kelly
Office of Media Relations; Baton Rouge Police Department