NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) – Funeral arrangements are set for fallen NOPD officer Natasha Hunter.
The 11-year NOPD veteran died Tuesday from injuries she sustained in a crash that happened early Sunday morning on I-10 East near Esplanade Avenue.
Public visitation will take place from 4 p.m. – 7 p.m. Sunday at Rhodes Funeral Home on Washington Avenue.
A public viewing will is set for Monday from 7 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. at Greater St. Stephens Full Gospel Baptist Church on Read Boulevard. The memorial service will begin at 11 a.m.
Burial is at Providence Memorial Park on Airline Drive in Metairie.
A balloon release and prayer vigil will take place at 7 p.m. Wednesday (June 8) at NOPD headquarters, 715 South Broad St.
Hunter was helping another officer respond to a multi-vehicle crash early Sunday morning, when she was reportedly struck by 33-year-old Chau Thai Nguyen. Nguyen is accused of ignoring warning lights when he plowed into Hunter’s police unit.
Police Superintendent Michael Harrison said Nguyen had alcohol on his breath and later admitted that he had been drinking.
Nguyen was released from the hospital Tuesday afternoon and booked into the Orleans Parish Prison on a vehicular homicide charge. His bond is $1 million.
Hunter leaves behind a 5-year-old daughter.