A Westwego security guard accused in a deadly hit-and-run on Jefferson Highway was talking on her cellphone just before State Police investigators say she slammed into a pedestrian who was crossing the street.?
Britney Holmes, 37, had just finished her shift and was driving home when she spotted people in the roadway, according to State Police Trooper Timothy Clark.
Holmes told person on the other end of her call, "These motherf---ers are trying to die out here," according to Clark.?
Authorities allege that within moments, Holmes crashed into 37-year-old Sue Ellen Cechman and then fled the scene — running over Cechman's body —?without stopping to help or call authorities.?
Clark provided new details about the crash and investigation that identified Holmes as a suspect during a Sept. 10 preliminary hearing in the case held in Jefferson Parish Magistrate Court.
Holmes, who was arrested Aug. 24, is facing charges including manslaughter, hit-and-run involving a fatality and obstruction of justice.
Horrific video
The accident occurred about 11:51 p.m. Aug. 15. on Jefferson Highway near Claiborne Court. A surveillance video mounted on a business in the area recorded crash, Clark said.
Cechman was walking east on a sidewalk alongside the westbound lanes of Jefferson Highway when she tried to cross the roadway, State Police said. Just before reaching the median, a vehicle headed west on Jefferson Highway crashed into her.?
In the video, Cechman's body goes airborne before landing on the windshield and front hood, Clark testified. When the car stopped, she slid onto the ground in front of the vehicle.?
The driver, later identified as Holmes, stopped for several seconds before continuing westbound, running over Cechman's body and dragging her for several feet, Clark said.?
Cechman was taken to a hospital but died of multiple blunt force injuries, according to authorities.?
Immediate repairs
From the surveillance video, investigators learned the car, a black 2009 Nissan Sentra, had significant damage to its windshield and hood. Authorities learned the vehicle was registered to Holmes, and they found it at her Westwego home six days after the crash, Clark said.?
By then, the windshield had been replaced and the hood repaired, though investigators spotted shards of broken glass on the dashboard vents, Clark testified.?
Investigators obtained a warrant to search the vehicle as well as Holmes' cellphone and tablet. They discovered that Holmes began searching the internet for windshield replacement companies almost immediately after the crash, according to authorities.
Holmes also searched the internet for Cechman's name after she was identified as the victim, Clark said.
State Police found the Gretna company Holmes hired to replace the windshield, and they gave investigators a copy of the voicemail she left telling them she needed it done immediately, authorities said.?
The technician who changed out the windshield told a manager it appeared that Holmes had "hit something or someone," Clark testified.?
Investigators also found text messages with the person Holmes hired to fix the dents. The vehicle was repaired while parked in a garage while Holmes was on the job making rounds as a security guard at an office building on Causeway Boulevard, Clark said.?
Jefferson Parish Criminal Commissioner Paul Schneider ruled there was probable cause to continue holding Holmes as charged following the testimony. He also denied motions to reduce her $375,000 bail.?
Holmes was being held Tuesday at the Jefferson Parish Correctional Center in Gretna.