Gibson - On September 29, 2024, shortly after 12:00 a.m., Louisiana State Police Troop C began investigating a two-vehicle fatal hit-and-run crash on Louisiana Highway 182 near Oak Forest Drive. The crash claimed the life of 39-year-old Amanda Courteaux of Gibson.

The preliminary investigation revealed a 2009 Jeep Patriot was traveling east on LA Hwy 182, while a 2007 Ford Focus was traveling west. For reasons still under investigation, the Jeep crossed the center line into the path of the Ford. Despite efforts by the driver of the Ford to avoid the collision by steering left, the Jeep struck the Ford on its right passenger side in the westbound lane.

After the crash, the driver of the Jeep fled the scene in a separate vehicle. Courteaux, who was the unrestrained front-seat passenger in the Ford, was partially ejected and died at the scene. The juvenile driver of the Ford, who was also unrestrained, sustained moderate injuries and was transported to a nearby hospital. A standard toxicology sample was collected from the juvenile driver and is pending analysis.

Troopers were able to identify the driver of the Jeep as 33-year-old Elmer "Miguel Albino-Bou" Adan Galeas-Canizales of Honduras. Detectives from the Louisiana State Police Criminal Investigations Division - Houma Field Office (CID HFO), Homeland Security Investigations - Houma (HSI Houma), U.S. Marshals Service (USMS), Terrebonne Parish Sheriff's Office (TPSO), and the St. Mary Parish Sheriff's Office (SMPSO) joined the investigation.

The investigation revealed that after the crash, Elmer Galeas-Canizales was aided by 35-year-old Miguel Galeas-Canizales, 35-year-old Elvin "Giovanni" Yovani Galeas-Canizales, 42-year-old Doneyda Galeas-Canizales, and 21-year-old Emerson Parada-Amaya, all from Honduras. These individuals either knowingly provided false information to law enforcement or physically helped Elmer Galeas-Canizales flee the scene, eventually helping him escape to Dallas, Texas.

On October 16, 2024, detectives with CID HFO, along with HSI - Houma, SMPSO, Immigration and Customs Enforcement - Enforcement and Removal Operations (ICE ERO), and the Morgan City Police Department (MCPD), arrested Doneyda, Emerson, and Miguel Galeas-Canizales for LA R.S. 14:(25) 32.1 accessory to vehicular homicide.

Police are still looking for Elmer and Elvin Galeas-Canizales who are believed to be in either Dallas or Houston, Texas. Arrest warrants have been issued for Elmer Galeas-Canizales for LA R.S. 14:32.1 vehicular homicide, LA R.S. 14:39.1 vehicular negligent injury, and LA R.S. 14:100 felony hit-and-run resulting in death, and for Elvin Galeas-Canizales for LA R.S. 14:(25) 32.1 accessory to vehicular homicide.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Elmer or Elvin Galeas-Canizales is encouraged to contact Troop C at (985) 857-3680. Information can also be reported anonymously through Bayou Region Crime Stoppers at 1-800-743-7433, online at CrimeStoppersBR.org, via the Bayou Tips mobile app, or through http://la-safe.orgby clicking on the "Suspicious Activity" link.

Contact Information:

TFC Tiah Larvadain

Louisiana State Police

Public Affairs Section - Troop C

Office: (985) 857-3680

[email protected]