Louisiana State Police say they have arrested a Marrero man in connection with a hit and run crash on the Interstate in Metairie, causing damage to the overpass near the Veterans Boulevard overpass and tied up traffic in the area for hours.
On January 9, the crash caused damage to the bridge structure and closed the eastbound lanes for over seven hours and the westbound lanes for over two hours. Preliminary investigation by police revealed that a 2015 Volvo semi-truck, in tandem with another trailer, was traveling in the right lane approaching the overpass. A Mercury Grand Marquis entered I-10 from Power Boulevard and failed to properly merge into traffic. The Mercury sideswiped the Volvo on the passenger side of the cab and the driver of the Volvo lost control of the vehicle. The Mercury then sideswiped the right guardrail and continued east on I-10 without stopping. The Volvo crossed the center lane and overturned on its side. One of the trailers fell off the north side of the interstate and caught fire. The driver of the Volvo was taken to a local hospital with moderate injuries. The fire caused damage to the bridge structure and the left lane of I-10 east at Veterans Boulevard was closed for approximately 11 days while LA DOTD made the necessary repairs.
Following the crash, a concerned citizen called Troop B and advised of a Mercury Grand Marquis, that fit the hit and run vehicle description, parked in the 1000 block of Edenborn Avenue in Metairie. Troopers obtained a search warrant for the Mercury, identified as a 2003 Mercury Grand Marquis. Louisiana State Police Crime Lab processed the vehicle and confirmed the damage on the vehicle positively matched the damage on the Volvo and I-10 guardrail. DNA evidence was also taken from inside the Mercury.
Troopers obtained an arrest warrant on Monday, for 36-year-old Brandon A. Eserman of Marrero. On February 1, 2019, Eserman turned himself into Troopers at Louisiana State Police Troop B. Eserman was transported to the Jefferson Parish Correctional Center and charged with Hit and Run, Reckless Operation of a Motor Vehicle, Negligent Injuring, Suspended Driver’s License, No Insurance and Fraudulent Inspection Certificate.
