The mayor of a small south Louisiana town was killed in a car crash in the midst of her re-election bid just hours before polls closed on Tuesday.
Melville Mayor Velma Hendrix, 84, was riding on the rear left side of a 2008 Acura RDX when her vehicle was hit by a 2015 Ram 2500 pickup truck driven by Michael Cook.
Cook attempted to cross both westbound lanes of Highway 190 and failed to yield, striking the vehicle containing Hendrix, which was traveling south on Highway 741, according to Louisiana State Police.
LSP stated Hendrix was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash and died at a local hospital. The driver of the Acura and three other passengers sustained an array of injuries that ranged from moderate to severe.
Cook was not injured in the crash. A breathalyzer showed no signs of intoxication. He received citations for failure to yield at a stop sign and no seat belt.
A routine toxicology sample was also taken from the Acura’s driver, whose name has not been released as of yet, and is awaiting analysis.
Qualifying for the Melville mayoral position will be reopened from November 9-14, according to the St. Landry Parish Clerk of Court, with a new election scheduled for December 10.
However, if no one new qualifies by November 14, Sheila Londerno will be named Melville’s mayor. Londerno received 52% of the election day vote, according to the Louisiana Commissioner of Elections.
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