A hit-and-run crash with serious injury last month turned into a murder case this month, the New Orleans Police Department says.
According to NOPD, cops were notified around 2:30 p.m. April 28 of a pedestrian hit by a car in the 3900 block of St. Claude Ave.
The vehicle's driver, whom NOPD identified as 57-year-old Rhonda Watts, fled the scene.
"Through investigation, it was determined that the perpetrator – who was identified as Watts – intentionally struck the victim with the vehicle," police said in a statement. "The incident was then reclassified as an aggravated battery. The victim was pronounced deceased on May 1, at which time the incident was reclassified as a homicide."
Police arrested Watts on Sunday in the 3400 block of Urquhart St.
Anyone with additional information that can assist in this investigation is urged to contact NOPD Homicide (504) 658-5300 or Crimestoppers at (504) 822-1111 or toll free at (877) 903-7867 (STOP).
Callers to Crimestoppers do not have to leave their names and may be eligible for a cash reward for information that leads to an arrest and indictment.
