Winnfield Man Killed in Police Pursuit Crash on Canal Boulevard
A 24-year-old dirt bike rider, Landon Smith of Winnfield, died in a crash while evading police on Canal Boulevard at City Park Avenue on October 5 around 5 p.m.
According to the Louisiana State Police, the incident began when New Orleans police attempted a traffic stop on Canal Street in the French Quarter. Smith, driving recklessly, refused to stop and fled the scene.
Minutes later, authorities reported Smith traveling at a high rate of speed down Orleans Avenue, moving against oncoming traffic. Both the New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) and Troop NOLA lost sight of the dirt bike during the pursuit.
Troopers later located a crash involving Smith's dirt bike and a truck at the intersection of City Park Avenue and Canal Boulevard. Law enforcement officers rendered aid, and Smith was transported to a local hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.
State police reported that at the time of the crash, Smith was westbound on City Park Avenue, overtaking stopped traffic on the right shoulder. He reportedly ignored a red light at Canal Boulevard, colliding with the truck that was turning left from eastbound City Park Avenue.
This incident remains under investigation.