Hit-And-Run Crash Damages Hydrant, Closes Lafayette Roadway

LAFAYETTE, La. - A traffic headache on one of Lafayette's busiest roadways turned out to be more than a malfunctioning fire hydrant.

Lafayette Police say a hit-and-run crash Tuesday afternoon damaged a light pole, several street signs and a fire hydrant along NW Evangeline Thruway. The damage forced authorities to close the roadway for several hours while crews worked at the scene.

Police later located the vehicle believed to have been involved and identified the driver.

What Police Say Happened On NW Evangeline Thruway

According to an updated release from the Lafayette Police Department, officers responded to the 500 block of NW Evangeline Thruway at approximately 2:01 p.m. on September 15.

Investigators determined that a vehicle traveling southbound veered off the right side of the roadway for an unknown reason.

Police say the vehicle struck a light pole, several street signs and a fire hydrant before the driver left the scene.

The damaged hydrant caused additional problems along the roadway, requiring emergency utility crews to respond and shut off the water.

LPD

Lafayette Police Locate Vehicle On St. John Street

A short time after the crash, officers located the suspect vehicle in the 400 block of St. John Street, according to LPD.

Police identified the driver as 51-year-old Courtney Prejean of Lafayette.

Prejean was issued citations for careless operation, hit and run, and failure to register a vehicle, according to the department.

LPD did not report any injuries associated with the crash in its updated release.

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Initial Closure Blamed On Fire Hydrant Malfunction

The Lafayette Police Department initially announced shortly after 2 p.m. that the 500 block of NW Evangeline Thruway had been closed because of what was described at the time as a "fire hydrant malfunction."

Traffic was diverted toward Cameron Street and Mudd Avenue, and motorists were advised to find an alternate route.

The department's later update revealed that the hydrant problem was caused by the crash.

Emergency utility crews spent several hours shutting off water to the damaged hydrant and clearing mud and debris from the roadway.

Some Evangeline Thruway Lanes Remain Closed

As of approximately 5:40 p.m. Tuesday, the southbound inside lane of NW Evangeline Thruway had reopened.

However, Lafayette Police said the southbound middle and outside lanes remained closed.

Drivers traveling through the area should expect possible delays while work continues around the damaged hydrant and crash scene.

Motorists may want to avoid the affected stretch of NW Evangeline Thruway until all lanes are reopened.