Judge determines man accused of killing WGNO sports producer in crash is a flight risk, denies bond
Disclaimer: All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) — The driver accused of causing Friday’s crash that killed WGNO sports producer Mark Deane is being held without bond.
During a hearing on Tuesday, August 27, Orleans Parish Magistrate Judge Juana Lombard says she rarely holds a defendant without bond, but she agreed with state attorneys that 29-year-old Jorge Sanchez-Martinez is a flight risk.
Sanchez-Martinez was booked into Orleans Parish Jail on charges of negligent homicide, reckless operation of a vehicle and not being a licensed driver.
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State attorneys claim evidence shows Sanchez-Martinez was driving at such a high rate of speed that he couldn’t stop after hitting 48-year-old Mark Deane, a longtime WGNO employee, who was on his motorcycle, heading east on the Crescent City Connection.
As a result, the state says Sanchez-Martinez crashed into two more vehicles before crashing into the guardrails.
- (WGNO/LBJ)
- (WGNO/LBJ)
- Mark Deane (WGNO/LBJ)
- Mark Deane (WGNO/LBJ)
- (WGNO/LBJ)
- (WGNO/LBJ)
- (WGNO/Kenny Lopez)
- (WGNO/Kenny Lopez)
- (WGNO/LBJ)
- Mark Dean (WGNO/Jeff Kent)
Defense attorneys claim the crash was an accident, and that their client was reaching for his coffee when he crashed into Deane.
“There was a lot of traffic on the bridge. Whether or not he was actually traveling above the speed limit, that is yet to be determined,” explained defense attorney Bobby Hjortsberg. “They’re saying that they determined that based upon marks that were on the wall of the Crescent City Connection. I’m no scientist, but I’m not certain that that’s enough to make a determination to how fast someone was going.”
State attorneys had asked that Sanchez-Martinez be held without bond, saying he was a flight risk because he lives in Louisiana illegally.
They say aside from not having a license, Sanchez-Martinez also didn’t have an ID and that he applied for a visitor visa in 2019 but was denied.
The defense refuted the claims their client didn’t have ties to Louisiana.
“You know, when you have family who lives here, you’re less likely to try to leave,” Hjortsberg said.
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
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