**UPDATE** Driver Arrested for Vehicular Homicide After Fatal Crash Involving DOTD MAP Operator

New Orleans - Troopers have continued to investigate the crash that claimed the life of 23-year-old Eric Anthony Jr. As part of the ongoing investigation, the toxicology results indicated the presence of illegal narcotics in Oscar G. Perez-Moran's blood at the time of the crash.

Based on these findings, Troopers upgraded Perez-Moran's charges to Vehicular Homicide. On Wednesday, October 16, 2024, while Perez-Moran was still in custody at the Orleans Parish Lockup, he was formally booked with the upgraded charge.

Initial Release September 24, 2024:

New Orleans - On Tuesday, September 24, 2024, shortly after 2:00 pm, Troopers with Louisiana State Police Troop B responded to a three-vehicle crash on I-610 west, near Canal Boulevard, in Orleans Parish. The crash ultimately claimed the life of 23-year-old Eric Anthony Jr. of New Orleans.

The preliminary investigation revealed that Anthony, a Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) Motorist Assistance Patrol (MAP) Operator assigned to the New Orleans region, was assisting the driver of a 2007 Chevrolet Avalanche. The Avalanche was disabled with a flat tire on the right shoulder of I-610 west, before the Canal Boulevard exit. Anthony, who had his assigned fully marked 2018 Dodge Ram's emergency lights activated and warning cones placed on the shoulder behind his vehicle, was standing near the rear of the unit before attending to the motorist's flat tire. At the same time, a 2020 Nissan Rogue, driven by 26-year-old Oscar G. Perez-Moran of Arabi, was driving west on I-610 near the Canal Boulevard exit. For reasons still under investigation, the Nissan ran off the road and struck Anthony with the front of the Nissan. The Nissan then continued, crashing into the left rear of the Ram MAP Unit. The Nissan began to rotate and struck the left rear of the Chevrolet with its left rear side.

Anthony suffered serious injuries and was transported to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The driver of the Chevrolet was uninjured and not inside the vehicle at the time of the crash. Perez-Moran, who was unrestrained, sustained minor injuries and was transported to a local hospital for treatment. As part of the ongoing investigation, routine toxicology samples were obtained for analysis.

As a result of the investigation, Perez-Moran was arrested and, upon release from the hospital, will be booked into the Orleans Parish Lockup for Negligent Homicide and other traffic-related charges.

It is important for Louisiana residents to remember that while approaching any emergency vehicle with emergency lights illuminated on the shoulder of a roadway with two or more lanes traveling in the same direction, they should move over an entire lane if it is safe to do so. If not, drivers must slow down to an appropriate speed. This law, more commonly known as the "Move Over Law," also applies to any vehicle that uses visual signals, such as emergency hazard lights parked on or near the highway. Please do your part by slowing down and moving over to create a safe space for our emergency services workers and residents of our state. For more information, please see the short video here: https://tinyurl.com/26kz7963

Contact Information:
Trooper First Class Jacob Pucheu
Louisiana State Police
Public Affairs Section - Troop B
Office: (504) 471-2775
[email protected]