Impaired driver arrested after killing LSU student Leah Fonte and firefighter Shane Hirstius near campus

Police arrested a 20‑year‑old driver Sunday morning after a crash near Louisiana State University’s campus killed senior Leah Fonte, 21, and her fiancé, volunteer firefighter Shane Hirstius, also 21.

Officers say the suspect, identified as Mia Dawson, veered off the road at about 2:40 a.m. and struck the couple as they walked along the right shoulder of the roadway.

Fonte died at the scene. Hirstius was transported to a hospital where he later succumbed to his injuries.

Dawson was taken into custody on charges of operating while impaired, reckless operation of a vehicle, hit‑and‑run driving, vehicular homicide and vehicular negligent injuring.

The River Ridge Volunteer Fire Department posted on Facebook that Hirstius “was much more than a firefighter,” describing him as a person with “an enormous heart, an unforgettable smile, and a genuine passion for helping others.” The department added that he gave “110% of himself to his responsibilities as a first responder.”

LSU President Wade Rousse issued a statement expressing condolences to the Fonte family and the friends of Hirstius, saying the university community “prays that God will comfort those she loved during this time of reflection and mourning.”

Fonte was a senior studying biological sciences at LSU, according to a university statement.

The incident has sparked renewed discussion about pedestrian safety on streets adjacent to the campus, with local officials urging drivers to remain vigilant, especially during early‑morning hours.

Authorities have not released further details about the investigation, but the case remains active as prosecutors prepare to pursue the listed charges against Dawson.