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WGNO sports producer killed in New Orleans crash
By Christian Olivier,
2024-08-23
Disclaimer: All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
UPDATE:
The man accused of negligent homicide in the death of WGNO Sports Producer Mark Deane was denied bond by a judge during a hearing on Saturday, Aug. 24. The next court hearing is set for Aug. 27 at 10 a.m.
The suspect was initially identified as Alberto Martinez-Sanchez, however, his identity has since been confirmed by the New Orleans Police Department as Jorge Martinez-Sanchez.
According to the Louisiana State Police, just after 7:30 a.m. on Aug. 23, troopers with LSP Troop B responded to the multi-vehicle crash, which occurred on the Crescent City Connection bridge.
The preliminary investigation reportedly showed that Deane was driving a 2021 Yamaha motorcycle eastbound on the bridge when a 2000 Toyota Camry, driven by a man, initially identified as 29-year-old Alberto Martinez-Sanchez, of Gretna, struck the back of the motorcycle, causing Deane and the Yamaha to become airborne. The Camry then hit the back of a 2023 Nissan Rogue.
Deane was wearing a helmet at the time, but was pronounced dead at the scene. Martinez-Sanchez was properly retrained and wasn’t injured. The driver of the Nissan was also properly restrained and uninjured.
Impairment isn’t suspected in this case, but standard toxicology samples were still taken and submitted to be analyzed.
Martinez-Sanchez was arrested and booked under the name Jorge Martinez-Sanchez into the Orleans Parish Lockup on negligent homicide and other traffic-related charges.
“The New Orleans Police Department is deeply saddened by the tragic loss of Mark Deane, a respected sports producer at WGNO, who passed away this morning in a traffic fatality,” said New Orleans Police Department Superintendent of Police Anne Kirkpatrick. “Mark was not just a colleague to many in our media community, but a friend whose passion and dedication to his work left a lasting impact on all who had the privilege of knowing him. Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences go out to Mark’s family, friends and the entire WGNO team during this difficult time.”
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