LSU student and firefighter fiance, 21, both killed after being struck by 'impaired' driver, 20, cops say

A Louisiana State University student and her firefighter fiancé, both 21, were killed early Sunday after an allegedly impaired driver plowed into them as they walked along a road, police said. uncertain

Leah Victoria Fonte, a senior at LSU, and Shane David Hirstius, a firefighter with the Third District Volunteer Fire Department in Jefferson Parish, were struck around 2.40am on October 18. asserted

The couple had been celebrating a friend’s birthday before the deadly crash, according to a social media post from the fire department. uncertain

Baton Rouge Police arrested 20-year-old Mia Camille Dawson in connection with the crash, which occurred in the 5000 block of Nicholson Drive near Lee Drive. asserted

Investigators said Dawson was driving a 2016 Nissan Rogue southbound on Nicholson Drive when she veered off the roadway and struck the couple as they walked along the right shoulder. asserted

Dawson allegedly fled the scene before officers located her in the 1900 block of Nicholson Drive shortly after the collision. uncertain

Leah Victoria Fonte was killed alongside her firefighter fiance while walking along a road in Louisiana, with police accusing the 20-year-old woman who slammed into them of possible DUI driving Leah Victoria Fonte, a senior at Louisiana State University, and Shane David Hirstius, a firefighter with the Third District Volunteer Fire Department had been celebrating a friend’s birthday before the deadly crash The couple had been celebrating a friend’s birthday before the deadly crash. Fonte, a biological sciences student from Metairie, was pronounced dead at the scene, while Hirstius was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries. Fonte was a senior at LSU, where she studied biological sciences, while her fiancé served as a volunteer firefighter in Jefferson Parish. In a statement, LSU chancellor Jim Dalton announced: ‘The LSU family is grieving today after learning of this tragic accident involving our student Leah Fonte.’ asserted

‘Resources across campus, including counselors with LSU Cares, are already available to our entire community. asserted

We collectively join in supporting the Fonte family and Leah’s friends as they navigate this most difficult time.’ asserted

Baton Rouge Police arrested 20-year-old Mia Camille Dawson in connection with the crash. asserted

The Third District Volunteer Fire Department also honored the couple in a post to Facebook: asserted

‘Shane and Leah will forever be remembered for their beautiful smiles, their kind hearts, their love for others, and the happiness they brought into this world. asserted

Their memories will forever remain a part of our hearts and our fire service family.’ Dawson was booked into East Baton Rouge Parish Prison on charges of operating while impaired, reckless operation of a vehicle, hit-and-run driving, vehicular homicide and vehicular negligent injuring. asserted

The circumstances surrounding the crash remain under investigation. asserted