Elvin Santos Banegas Obituary, Death – A man died in a high-speed crash early Friday morning in Kenner after attempting to flee from police during what officials suspect was a road rage incident.
According to the Kenner Police Department, the crash occurred shortly after 2:30 a.m. An officer on patrol spotted a gold Honda Pilot driving aggressively eastbound in the 2200 block of Airline Highway. The vehicle appeared to be involved in a potential road rage situation with a red Ford Mustang that was also heading east.
When the officer tried to stop the Honda Pilot, the driver refused to comply and sped away, turning north onto Taylor Street. As the driver continued fleeing, police say the vehicle crossed West Metairie Avenue at a high rate of speed, jumped a curb and a canal, and ultimately crashed into the north canal bank.
Responding officers immediately pulled the driver from the heavily damaged SUV and began administering CPR. Paramedics from the Kenner Fire Department and East Jefferson EMS soon arrived and took over medical treatment. Despite their efforts, the driver was later pronounced dead at a nearby hospital.
The Jefferson Parish Coroner’s Office identified the deceased man as 26-year-old Elvin Santos Banegas.
Kenner police believe the initial aggressive driving may have stemmed from a confrontation between Banegas and the driver of the red Mustang. The Mustang was not involved in the crash, and the identity of that driver remains unknown.
Authorities are asking anyone who may have witnessed the incident or who has information about the red Mustang and its driver to contact the Kenner Police Traffic Division at 504-712-2200.
The investigation is ongoing.
