BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA – An LSU senior and her firefighter fiance, both 21, were killed early Sunday morning when a driver allegedly veered off a Baton Rouge road and struck them as they walked along the shoulder. Leah Fonte died at the scene, while Shane Hirstius later died at a local hospital. Police arrested 20-year-old Mia Dawson on charges including vehicular homicide, operating while impaired, and hit and run. The couple were high school sweethearts.
Driver Allegedly Veers Off Road and Strikes Couple on Shoulder
Fonte and Hirstius were walking along the shoulder of the road early Sunday when a vehicle allegedly left the roadway and hit them. Fonte was pronounced dead at the scene. First responders arrived quickly but could not save her.
Hirstius was rushed to a local hospital, where he later died from his injuries. The exact location of the crash in Baton Rouge was not included in the post. The couple’s deaths have shocked friends and families across Louisiana. Drivers are reminded to watch for pedestrians, especially at night and early morning hours.
Mia Dawson Arrested on Vehicular Homicide and Hit-and-Run Charges
Police arrested Mia Dawson, 20, in connection with the crash. She faces charges including vehicular homicide, operating while impaired, and hit and run. The hit-and-run charge indicates she allegedly left the scene after the crash.
Details about her alleged impairment and how she was located have not been released. Dawson is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court. In Louisiana, vehicular homicide is a felony that can carry a lengthy prison sentence. The investigation into the crash remains ongoing.
Leah Fonte Was Set to Graduate From LSU
Fonte was a senior at LSU studying biological sciences and was preparing to graduate. Her future was full of promise as she neared the end of her studies. LSU is located in Baton Rouge, where the crash happened.
She and Hirstius had been together since high school and were engaged to be married. Their loss has left two families grieving the plans they will never get to share. Messages of support have poured in online for both families.
River Ridge Fire Department Honors Volunteer Firefighter Shane Hirstius
Hirstius served as a volunteer firefighter with the River Ridge fire department. The department remembered him as someone who gave 110% of himself to the job. Volunteer firefighters serve their communities while often balancing other jobs or school.
Fire officials said he represented the very best of what it means to be a firefighter. River Ridge is a community in Jefferson Parish near New Orleans. His fellow firefighters are mourning the loss of a dedicated member.
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