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NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) – The NOPD officer who was struck by a suspected drunk driver on I-10 early Sunday morning has died.

Natasha Hunter, 32, a 11-year veteran of the force, was helping a fellow officer investigate a multi-vehicle crash.

Hunter suffered a very serious brain injury and remained unresponsive. She leaves behind a 5-year-old daughter.

Photo Courtesy Orleans Parish Sheriff's Office
Photo Courtesy Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office

Police Superintendent Michael Harrison said the driver, 33-year-old Chau Thai Nguyen, had alcohol on his breath and later admitted to investigators that he had been drinking.

Nguyen was released from the hospital Tuesday and booked into the Orleans Parish Jail on a vehicular homicide charge.

A public prayer vigil will take place at 7 p.m. Wednesday, June 8, at NOPD Headquarters, located at 715 South Broad St.

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