Student and Firefighter Fiancé Killed in Early-Morning Crash; Impaired Driver Charged

Leah Fonte, a 21-year-old senior studying biological sciences at Louisiana State University, and her fiancé Shane Hirstius, also 21 and a volunteer firefighter, were killed after a vehicle struck them while they walked along the road’s shoulder near the LSU campus early Sunday. The incident occurred around 2:40 a.m. when the driver left the roadway and collided with the pair; Fonte died on site and Hirstius was taken to a hospital where he later died.

Baton Rouge Police Department arrested 20-year-old Mia Dawson, charging her with operating while impaired, reckless operation, hit-and-run, vehicular homicide and negligent injury. The River Ridge volunteer fire department praised Hirstius’s dedication as a first responder, and LSU President Wade Rousse expressed condolences to the families. Authorities continue the investigation.