NEW ORLEANS – The Latest on a deadly crash in New Orleans (all times local):
7:45 a.m.
A police spokesman says the man arrested in a crash on a busy New Orleans thoroughfare that killed two people is believed to have been impaired at the time.
In a news release, Andy Cunningham identified the suspect as 32-year-old Tashonty Toney and said he was the son of a New Orleans police officer.
Cunningham says that discovery will not change the department's investigation, which he said will be "open and transparent."
According to the news release, Saturday was Toney's birthday. Police are awaiting the results of a blood alcohol test.
Police initially said six people were also injured in the crash.
But in the news release, Cunningham said another victim who did not seek assistance at the scene was later taken to the hospital in a private vehicle.
Toney faces two counts of vehicular homicide, seven counts of vehicular negligent injury, hit and run, and reckless operation.
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11:45 p.m.
Authorities say two people have been killed and six injured after being struck by a vehicle on a busy New Orleans thoroughfare.
Police Superintendent Shaun Ferguson tells local media that a suspect is in custody following the incident that happened about 8 p.m. Saturday along a multiple-block stretch of Esplanade Ave.
Ferguson says the suspect is being tested to determine whether he was intoxicated. His identity was not released.
EMS spokesman Jonathan Fourcade says a man and a woman — both about 30 years old — were killed. The injured ranged in ages from 28 to 65.
The incident happened not far from the Endymion parade, one of the city's biggest Mardi Gras parades.
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