Suspected impaired driver strikes cyclists in New Orleans, killing 2
NEW ORLEANS — Police suspect a driver was impaired when he killed two people and injured seven others, most of them riding bikes, on a busy New Orleans thoroughfare as large crowds gathered in the city for Mardi Gras.
Police spokesman Andy Cunningham said Sunday that authorities were waiting for the results of a blood alcohol test, but they believe the suspect was impaired at the time of the deadly crash Saturday evening.
He identified the suspect who was arrested at the scene as Tashonty Toney, 32, and said he was the son of a New Orleans police officer. Saturday was Toney’s birthday, police said.
Toney faces two counts of vehicular homicide, seven counts of vehicular negligent injury, hit and run, and reckless operation.