Mark Deane, a sports producer with a Nexstar-owned television station in Louisiana, died over the weekend from injuries sustained in a motorcycle crash, his employer has confirmed.
Deane, 48, was riding his motorcycle on the Crescent City Connection Bridge when he was allegedly struck from behind by a 29-year-old driver. The driver who reportedly struck Deane’s motorcycle later crashed into another vehicle.
Deane’s employer, WGNO-TV (Channel 26, ABC) in New Orleans, said he was wearing a helmet at the time of the crash, but the force of the collision caused him to go airborne, and he apparently died from injuries sustained upon impact with the road. The driver of the other two vehicles, including the one that initially crashed into Deane’s motorcycle, were not injured.
The driver of the vehicle that crashed into Deane’s bike was detained by police on suspicion of negligent homicide and other charges. WGNO said driving while impaired isn’t believed to be an element in the crash, so it is unclear why police took him into custody, though a judge denied him bail during a court appearance on Saturday, suggesting the charges and the evidence are serious.
“The New Orleans Police Department is deeply saddened by the tragic loss of Mark Deane, a respected sports producer at WGNO, who passed away this morning in a traffic fatality,” a spokesperson for the New Orleans Police Department said. “Mark was not just a colleague to many in our media community, but a friend whose passion and dedication to his work left a lasting impact on all who had the privilege of knowing him. Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences go out to Mark’s family, friends and the entire WGNO team during this difficult time.”
Deane’s death is the third to afflict the station over the past two weeks. Earlier this month, long-time sports director Ed Daniels died after suffering from cardiac arrest while visiting California.
