NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) –The Crimestoppers reward has been raised to $10,000 for information leading to an arrest in the New Year’s Day hit-and-run that killed tourist Joshua Woodruff.
The 28-year-old was celebrating the New Year’s in the French Quarter when police say he was hit by a car and dragged more than six miles before his body was discovered on US 90 near the General De Gaulle exit in the early morning hours of January 1st.
Earlier this week, the New Orleans Police Department released the route they believe the suspect took from the French Quarter to Algiers.
Through the course of the investigation, detectives have determined that the driver of the vehicle fled the scene traveling from Decatur Street onto Madison Street against traffic.
The driver then turned right at Chartres Street to Ursuline, where he/she turned left and proceeded to Burgundy Street.
The driver then took a right onto Burgundy and made a left turn onto Barracks Street and then a right onto Rampart Street, down to Esplanade Avenue where the vehicle turned left and went to North Claiborne Avenue.
Once at North Claiborne, the vehicle turned left and proceeded to Orleans Avenue, where the driver got onto I-10 which connects to US-90.
While crossing the Greater New Orleans Bridge, the victim’s body was dislodge from the vehicle and was later spotted near the right lane, just before the General Degaulle exit.
Police believe the suspect’s car is a black four-door sedan with tinted windows, possibly a black Toyota Camry.
Below is a photo of the possible make and model of the vehicle. It is NOT a photo of the actual vehicle.
Citizens with information that can help solve this crime are asked to call Crimestoppers at 822-1111 or toll-free 1-877-903-STOP.
You could receive a cash reward of up to $2,500 for the information leading only to the arrest, except on homicides, where Crimestoppers will pay half of the reward upon the arrest and half on the indictment of the responsible person(s).
You do not have to give your name nor testify to receive the reward, but you must contact Crimestoppers directly with your information. Citizens can also submit an anonymous tip online to Crimestoppers at http://www.crimestoppersgno.org.