GRAMERCY – A 24-year-old Gramercy man is facing numerous charges including negligent homicide following a fatal wreck Sunday morning that left a St. James Parish woman dead.

At approximately 5:45 a.m. Sunday, troopers from Louisiana State Police Troop A began investigating a two-vehicle, hit-and-run fatality crash that occurred at the intersection of Louisiana 3213 and Louisiana 3125 in St. James Parish.

The crash took the life of 25-year-old Brittany L. Harris of Vacherie, authorities said.

The initial investigation by State Police revealed the crash occurred as 24-year-old Corey J. Newton of Gramercy was driving a 2008 Nissan Altima eastbound on Louisiana 3125 approaching Louisiana 3213.

“At the same time, Harris was driving a 2007 Dodge Charger northbound on Louisiana 3213 approaching Louisiana 3125,” Trooper Jared L. Sandifer said. “As both vehicles approached the traffic-light controlled intersection, Newton entered the intersection on a red light. As a result, the Nissan struck the Dodge on the driver’s side, causing the Dodge to leave the roadway and strike a utility pole.”

Harris was unrestrained at the time of the crash and suffered fatal injuries as a result, Sandifer said.

Harris was pronounced dead at the scene by the St. James Parish Coroner’s Office. Impairment on her part is not suspected; however, a toxicology sample was taken from her and submitted to the Louisiana State Police Crime Lab for analysis, Sandifer said.

“After the crash Newton fled the scene on foot into a wooded area,” Sandifer said.” He was located shortly after by the St. James Parish Sheriff’s Office. He was transported to the St. James Parish Jail, where Troopers later placed him under arrest and booked him for negligent homicide, DWI (first offense), reckless operation, hit-and-run driving and traffic-control signals. Impairment on his part is suspected, and Newton submitted to a toxicology test.”

Newton was properly restrained at the time of the crash and was uninjured.