Louisiana mayor running for reelection killed in crash hours before polls close

ST. LANDRY PARISH, La. – The mayor of a Louisiana city was killed in a automobile crash hours earlier than voting polls have been about to shut on Election Day. 

Mayor Velma D. Hendrix died in a two-car crash Tuesday earlier than 2 p.m. CT close to Port Barre, 33 miles from Lafayette, Louisiana, in response to a launch from Louisiana State Police.

Hendrix was elected mayor of Melville, Louisiana, in 2018. KLFY-TV in Lafayette reported Tuesday that Hendrix was operating for reelection in opposition to challengers Sheila “Sam” Londerno and Caretta Robertson.

Police mentioned a person driving a Ram pickup truck was touring south of LA 741 and didn’t yield as he tried to cross the westbound lanes of US 190. The pickup truck hit the passenger facet of an Acura SUV heading down the westbound lane.

Hendrix, 84, was within the rear passenger seat of the SUV when the crash occurred. She was taken to an space hospital in important situation the place she died from her accidents.

In line with police, the motive force of the SUV and three different passengers suffered reasonable to important accidents and have been handled at native hospitals.

The person driving the pickup truck wasn’t injured within the accident, and officers carried out a breath pattern indicating no alcohol in his system and he confirmed no indicators of impairment. 

Police mentioned he was cited for failure to yield from a cease signal and no seat belt. 

The Hill reported Wednesday that Londerno is projected to win the Melville mayoral race. 

This story was reported from Washington, D.C.