Disclaimer: All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) — Attorneys for the man accused in a crash that killed WGNO sports producer Mark Deane appeared in court on Tuesday, Aug. 27.
On Friday, Aug. 23, Deane was driving a motorcycle on the Crescent City Connection bridge when a Toyota driven by 29-year-old Jorge Sanchez-Martinez hit the back of the motorcycle, causing it to become airborne.
Jury finds Franklinton man accused of fatally stabbing girlfriend in 2020 guilty
The Toyota then reportedly hit the back of a Nissan.
Deane was pronounced dead at the scene, and Sanchez-Martinez was arrested and booked on negligent homicide and traffic-related charges.
On Saturday, Aug. 27, a judge denied bond for Sanchez-Martinez.
Then, on Tuesday, Sanchez-Martinez’s lawyers appeared for a hearing.
At the hearing, the state attorney said Sanchez-Martinez is being held without bond and that he has no ties to the United States or the community.
According to the state attorney, he applied for a visitor visa in 2019 but was rejected and allegedly came to Louisiana undocumented.
Truck driver sentenced in 2023 fatal Marrero crash involving a bicyclist
The state attorney said Sanchez-Martinez is believed to be a flight risk and was not in court because he wasn’t sent over by the sheriff’s office.
According to the state, Sanchez-Martinez was driving at a high rate of speed and was not able to stop.
The defense argued he was reaching for coffee at the time of the crash.
It was also stated that Sanchez-Martinez had no state ID and no driver’s license.
According to the defense, Sanchez-Martinez made attempts to stop and maintained that the crash was accidental.
The defense also refuted claims that Sanchez-Martinez didn’t have ties to the community, stating he has family here.
The Office of Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill issued the following statement:
Heartbreaking! The person responsible for this horrific crash, 29-year-old Jorge Martinez-Sanchez, is an illegal alien. Our office is prosecuting the case and has secured detention without bond. Martinez-Sanchez has been arrested for negligent homicide, reckless operation, and driving without a license. I’m praying for the family, friends, and co-workers of Mark Deane.
Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill
Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry issued the following statement:
Sharon and I are saddened to hear about the tragic loss of WGNO producer, Mark Deane. It never should have happened.
Our Administration will continue to fight back against the radical immigration policies of the Harris/Biden Administration that allowed for this tragedy to occur.Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry
Stay up to date with the latest news, weather and sports by downloading the WGNO app on the Apple or Google Play stores and by subscribing to the WGNO newsletter.
Latest Posts
Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGNO.
Source Agencies
