Dark Overpass Hit-and-Run Spot in Baton Rouge Remains Unlit Months After Crash
Months after a fatal hit-and-run crash killed 39-year-old John Le Nguyen on a dark Baton Rouge overpass, city officials confirm the broken tower lights will not be fixed anytime soon. The July collision occurred on the Greenwell Springs Road overpass where it crosses Airline Highway, leaving grieving family members demanding both justice and basic infrastructure repairs in an area they describe as pitch black.
Family Demands Accountability and Better Lighting
Martina Brooks, the sister of John Le Nguyen, expressed her frustration over the dangerous conditions at the crash site and the lack of urgency in restoring illumination to the roadway. “I just wish this was different, that this didn’t happen,” Brooks said. “He’s not just another number. He’s a human being.” The family wants the driver responsible for the fatal hit-and-run to come forward while also pressing local leaders to properly illuminate the overpass to prevent future tragedies.
City Officials Point to High Costs and Competing Priorities
When WBRZ visited the overpass three months ago, crews found only one half-lit tower operational, and by last week, zero tower lights functioned on the span. EBR Transportation and Drainage Director Fred Raiford explained that repairing the lighting system involves complex financial and logistical hurdles. City officials told WBRZ that parts had been ordered with Entergy to make repairs, but the administration now favors transitioning key intersections to solar power.
Replacing a single tower and its associated lights with solar equipment carries an estimated price tag of $10,000. Raiford stated that city planners want a comprehensive shift toward solar infrastructure for Airline Highway and local roadways moving forward. However, the primary capital priority remains the I-110 corridor stretching from US 61 to the I-10 interchange.
Timeline for Potential Repairs and Future Upgrades
While Raiford remains confident that lighting replacements along both I-110 and the overpass could be accomplished, the project remains a couple of years away. If the interstate project moves forward, Raiford indicated he would consider ordering five additional lights to replace the tower lights at the Greenwell Springs-Airline Highway overpass. Until funding materializes and construction begins, the lights there remain out.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did the fatal crash happen on the Greenwell Springs Road overpass?
The hit-and-run collision that claimed the life of 39-year-old John Le Nguyen occurred in July.
How much does it cost to replace a single light tower with solar power?
EBR Transportation and Drainage Director Fred Raiford estimates that replacing a single tower and its lights with solar equipment costs approximately $10,000.
What is the city’s current priority for lighting and infrastructure upgrades?
Transportation officials prioritize upgrading the lighting along I-110 from US 61 to the I-10 interchange before addressing other standalone locations like the Greenwell Springs-Airline Highway overpass.
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