Sheriff Joseph Lopinto announces that on January 17, 2018, at approximately 9:33 a.m.,  the JPSO Communications Center received a call about a vehicle submerged in the West Esplanade Canal at Wilson Drive in Metairie.

It was reported that a female and an 8-month old child were inside the vehicle.  Emergency responders were able to recover both victims from the vehicle while the vehicle was still in the Canal and immediately began life saving measures. The female victim was transported to East Jefferson General Hospital where she is currently in critical condition.  The infant was pronounced deceased at Lakeside Hospital.

According to JPSO Traffic Investigators, the driver was traveling westbound on West Esplanade Avenue when, for unknown reasons, she lost control of her vehicle, hitting the curb, then rolling into the canal.

The initial investigation indicates that ice on the roadway was a contributing factor to the fatal accident.

Sheriff Lopinto reminds everyone to shelter in place today.  Please stay off the roadways unless absolutely necessary.

Glen Boyd

Public Information Officer