Louisiana cop will not face charges after 94 mph crash killed infant

Published 8:11 am Thursday, November 14, 2019

A Louisiana police officer who crashed a speeding sports car while off duty will face no criminal charges in the death of a child.

The Advocate reports prosecutors cleared Christopher Manuel of negligent homicide, even though investigators say he was driving an orange Corvette at almost 100 mph before crashing into another vehicle, killing a child and injuring others in 2017.

Investigators determined the speed was approximately 94 mph based on data from the car’s airbags. The speed limit on the highway where the accident happened is 50 mph.

The East Baton Rouge District Attorney said Tuesday that his office didn’t bring charges because the child’s mother also contributed to the death, by putting the infant in a child seat that wasn’t properly belted in.

The seat was reportedly placed on the center console between the two front seats. The seat was ejected from the vehicle in the crash.

Manuel still works as a Baton Rouge police officer. He’s awaiting the result of an internal affairs process.

Prosecutors also allowed a misdemeanor speeding count against Manuel to expire without action.

Both Manuel and the child’s mother are pursuing lawsuits against each other.