A student of Louisiana State University and her fiancé, a local volunteer firefighter, have been killed by an underage drunk driver in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
An LSU senior and her firefighter fiance — high school sweethearts, both 21 years old — were killed early Sunday morning after a driver allegedly veered off a Baton Rouge road and struck them as they walked along the shoulder. Leah Fonte died at the scene. Shane Hirstius was rushed to a local hospital, where he later died. Police arrested 20-year-old Mia Dawson on charges including vehicular homicide, operating while impaired, and hit and run. Fonte was studying biological sciences and set to graduate from LSU. Hirstius served as a volunteer firefighter with the River Ridge fire department, which remembered him as someone who "gave 110% of himself" and embodied "the very best of what it means to be a firefighter." Full story here https://t.co/w3YJp3CkLS
— Fox News US (@FoxUSNews) October 19, 2026
“Two beautiful lives, two loving hearts and a future together were taken far too soon.” Those heartbreaking words from Alex Gorman, assistant fire chief with the Third District Volunteer Fire Department, describe the tragic loss of high school sweethearts Leah Fonte and Shane Hirstius. Both 21, Leah was an LSU senior, while Shane was a dedicated firefighter. The couple was engaged. Their lives were cut short Sunday when they were hit by a car while walking near LSU. The suspect, 20-year-old Mia Dawson, faces vehicular homicide charges. According to arrest documents, her blood alcohol level was 0.048%. Her bond is set at $229,000. #LSU
— Reggi Marion (@ReggiMarion) October 19, 2026
The two 21-year-olds, identified as Leah Fonte and Shane Hirstius, were struck and killed by 20-year-old Mia Dawson after she veered off the road and hit the two pedestrians. Officers say that Dawson then fled. Fonte was pronounced dead at the scene, while Hirtius would later die at the hospital.
Dawson has been charged with operating while impaired, reckless operation of a vehicle, hit-and-run driving, vehicular homicide and vehicular negligent injuring, according to Fox News.
University and city officials have announced that they are investigating safety improvements to the area to prevent another incident in the future.
LSU, transportation officials and city-parish leaders are working together on solutions to improve student safety along Nicholson Drive. Read more here: https://t.co/DS7Sio33Wo https://t.co/5qGUq3iozv
— LSU (@LSU) October 19, 2026
Dawson is currently being held on a $229,000 bond.
