Michael Ribando Jr. Killed in Hammond Hit-and-Run Accident
Search continues for light-colored sedan in deadly incident on North Baptist Road last Wednesday
Michael Ribando Jr., 23, died Wednesday night after a hit-and-run crash on North Baptist Road near Sunset Acres, the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff's Office said.
Ribando was riding a bicycle when a car hit him, according to deputies. The driver of that car stayed at the scene. A second car then struck Ribando and left the area, authorities said.
Deputies are searching for the second car, described as a light-colored sedan. The car was driving north on North Baptist Road before it turned right onto Wardline Road, the sheriff's office said.
The Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff's Office asked anyone with information about the crash to call its traffic division at 985-748-8147. Anonymous tips can be submitted through Crime Stoppers of Tangipahoa at 1-800-554-5245.
Investigators with the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff's Office are actively seeking the driver of the light-colored sedan involved in the second impact that fatally injured Michael Ribando Jr. on North Baptist Road. They will focus on piecing together the exact sequence of events, including vehicle speeds, points of impact, and any cause like lighting conditions or visibility. Candice Bond, Managing Partner at Bond Legal, noted that "When a family loses a loved one in a pedestrian accident, the legal process can feel overwhelming, but understanding the state's wrongful death laws is the first step toward seeking justice and financial security." The fact that the second driver fled the scene significantly complicates the investigation, as important evidence may have been compromised or lost.
Under La. Civ. Code Art. 2315.1, surviving family members may file a wrongful death action. Louisiana applies pure comparative fault. The prescriptive period is 1 year from the date of death. Recoverable damages may include loss of financial support, loss of love and affection, funeral expenses, and the decedent's pain and suffering.