Man arrested after fatally beating DOTD employee

State police have arrested Oscar Perez-Moran, 26, of Arabi, after he allegedly struck and killed 23-year-old DOTD employee Eric Anthony Jr. yesterday on I-610 West in New Orleans. Anthony was assisting a broken-down vehicle when Perez-Moran veered off the side of the road, striking Anthony and two other vehicles. Anthony was pronounced dead at a local hospital, according to Trooper Jacob Pucheu (Pee-shoo).

“It is a tragic event when a bubble veers so far off the road and then hits a person, but also two vehicles… there is significant damage and if someone is in the car, there are definitely injuries.”

The accident occurred as Anthony, a Motorist Assistance Patrol (MAP) employee, was fetching equipment to help a stranded motorist. Perez-Moran was hospitalized and faces charges of negligent homicide and other traffic offenses. Pucheu says blood or breath tests must be conducted in any serious crash or fatal accident…

“to check that people were not compromised at the time. I know he was tested and we are just waiting for the results.”

Pucheu emphasized the danger associated with roadwork and urged drivers to obey the state's “move-over” law, which requires motorists to slow down or change lanes when approaching an emergency vehicle.

“Give these boys and girls the freedom to do their jobs and be safe while doing so. So please slow down or pull over.”

Investigators are still investigating what caused Perez-Moran's vehicle to leave the road. Routine toxicology tests are pending.