The stillness of an early morning in New Iberia was shattered by a senseless tragedy on April 17, when 37-year-old James Buteaux’s life was abruptly taken. Just after 3:30 a.m., Buteaux was walking along Louisiana Highway 329 near Doc Road when he was struck by a northbound vehicle. What should have been a routine moment of traffic passing by quickly turned into a devastating and unforgivable hit-and-run.
According to investigators, Buteaux was walking along the roadside when the vehicle hit him, but instead of stopping to help, the driver sped off, vanishing into the darkness. Emergency responders rushed to the scene, but despite their efforts, Buteaux was pronounced dead at the scene due to the severe injuries he sustained.
Louisiana State Police are now working tirelessly to locate the vehicle involved, though no clear description has been released. The case remains under active investigation as law enforcement scrambles to gather information from witnesses or any potential surveillance footage that could aid in identifying the driver responsible.
As part of the investigation, a toxicology sample was collected from Buteaux, which is standard in fatal crashes. Authorities are committed to fully understanding the circumstances surrounding the incident and bringing closure to this tragic loss.
For the community, the loss of Buteaux is deeply personal. A man out for an early morning walk, never to return home—leaving friends, family, and loved ones to grapple with the unanswered questions of why and how.
State police are now turning to the public for help. They urge anyone who may have seen something, no matter how small, to come forward. Even the smallest detail could make a critical difference in solving this case. The driver may have fled the scene, but the search for justice and answers continues as the community remains united in mourning and hope for closure.
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