| id | cleanReleaseDate | troopName | title |
| 779 | 2009-11-24 | Troop A | Troopers Arrest Denham Springs Woman for Last Week’s Hit and Run Fatal Crash |
| LOUISIANA STATE POLICE COURTESY LOYALTY SERVICE Colonel Michael D. Edmonson, Superintendent TROOP A - NEWS RELEASE November 24, 2009 Troopers Arrest Denham Springs Woman for Last Week’s Hit and Run Fatal Crash Update – Investigation of the Hit and Run crash that occurred on LA 1026 in Livingston Parish on November 18th, killing Richard France, has led to the arrest of Amanda W. Cupit (W/F, age 38) of Denham Springs. Troopers assigned to investigate the crash last week have been following leads through the weekend. The Louisiana State Police Crime Lab processed the scene on the morning of November 19th. Crime lab personnel were able to obtain vehicle fragments at the scene. On the evening of November 19th, Troop A received a tip called in after a viewer watched media coverage on the hit and run crash. Troopers pursued the lead and located a white Mercury Grand Marquis with crash damage to the right front fender and windshield. Further investigation led Troopers to obtain a search warrant to process the Mercury Grand Marquis. Results of the analysis showed that the Grand Marquis was involved in the crash that killed France. Troopers continued the investigation and learned that Cupit was the driver on the night the vehicle struck and killed France. Further investigation revealed that Cupit and her boyfriend, Jay C. Meliet (W/M, age 38) of Denham Springs, attempted to conceal the crash damage by washing the vehicle. State Troopers submitted a warrant for the arrest of Cupit and Meliet to the 21st Judicial District Court today. After the warrant was signed, Troopers arrested Cupit at her residence and booked her into the Livingston Parish Jail on charges of Felony Hit and Run Driving and Obstruction of Justice. Troopers are still attempting to locate Meliet, who is charged with Accessory After the Fact and Obstruction of Justice. Anyone with information regarding Meliet’s whereabouts is encouraged to call Louisiana State Police Troop A at (225)754-8500. Livingston Parish Man Found Dead, Victim of Hit and Run WATSON – Louisiana State Troopers are currently investigating a Hit and Run Fatal crash that occurred on LA 1026 east of LA 16 near Thistle Drive early this morning. Richard C. France (W/M, age 56) of Denham Springs was struck from behind in the eastbound lane by a vehicle believed to have been traveling east on LA 1026. Troopers spent much of the morning at the scene of the crash investigating the incident. The Louisiana State Police Crime Lab was called out to the scene as well. Troopers believe that France was struck sometime between midnight and daybreak as he was pushing his bicycle walking east along the south edge of LA 1026. Shortly after daybreak, a passer-by noticed the bicycle and France lying in the ditch and called 911. The Livingston Parish Coroner’s Office pronounced France deceased at the scene. Troopers suspect that the vehicle involved in this crash will have minor to moderate damage to the right front fender and possible damage to the hood of the vehicle. Anyone with any information regarding this crash is encouraged to contact Louisiana State Police Troop A at (225)754-8500. Contact Information: Tpr Russell G. Graham II Public Affairs Unit Louisiana State Police – Troop A Office: (225) 754-8524 russell.graham@dps.la.gov www.LSP.org | |||
| No attachments for this article. | |||