Woman Arrested After Allegedly Beating Man with a Bat Before He Was Fatally Struck by 2 Cars on La. Roadway: Police

A woman was arrested in Louisiana after allegedly beating a man and leaving him on a roadway, where he was later struck and killed by passing cars, police say.

The Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office in Louisiana shared in a statement on Facebook, saying that Tonnisha O. Mitchell, 43, had been charged with second-degree battery and manslaughter in the death of Gene Hill, Jr., 42.

Police said the office received a report on Friday, May 23 of a “pedestrian/vehicle crash” that resulted in a “fatality” on Opelousas Street in Lake Charles, La. They arrived on the scene to investigate. 

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Following their initial investigation, police said they believed Hill had been a passenger in Mitchell’s car when they got into an “argument.” Witnesses allegedly told police that they saw Mitchell stop the car, saying she and Hill both get out before violence occurred. 

“Mitchell armed herself with a bat and proceeded to strike Hill several times in the head and body, causing him to fall to the ground,” the statement read.

Police said that Mitchell returned to her car and fled the scene, leaving Hill on the roadway. A witness told police that “Hill was unable to pick himself up and exit the roadway,” and “he was subsequently struck by two passing vehicles.” 

Hill died as a result of the incident. It is not clear what caused the alleged argument between the assailant and the victim.

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The Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment on the incident. 

Investigators claimed that Mitchell “attempted to destroy and discard evidence” at several locations following the incident. However, police were able to locate her at her home on Sunday, May 25, and she was arrested and booked into the Calcasieu Correctional Center.

Police said Mitchell’s bond is still pending.