New Arrest Made in Fatal Hit and Run in Slidell-area

The St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office has arrested an individual in the deadly hit and run that resulted in the death of a Slidell-area child after new evidence indicated that a different vehicle was responsible for the incident that occurred on August 13, 2025 on Northshore Lane near Slidell.

Shortly before 6 p.m. on August 13, 2025, deputies were dispatched to Northshore Lane in response to a report of a child struck by a vehicle. Initial findings revealed the young boy had been riding a scooter in his driveway when he was struck by a passing vehicle. The driver fled the scene without stopping. The child’s mother transported him to a local hospital, where he later died from his injuries.

Based on evidence available at the time, deputies initially arrested a Slidell man believed to be involved in the incident. However, further investigation revealed that his vehicle was not the one that struck the child. Investigators identified a second vehicle—a silver Nissan Armada—as the one involved. As a result, the 22nd Judicial District Attorney’s Office, at the request of the Sheriff’s Office, declined to pursue the initial charges of Vehicular Homicide, Hit and Run, and Reckless Operation. Click here for more information on this story

The driver of the Armada, 40-year-old Connie Noel Estes (also known as Connie Noel Flettrich or Noel Gorgone) of Slidell, was taken into custody on the evening of August 29, 2025 and booked into the St. Tammany Parish Correctional Center for Felony Hit and Run with Death or Serious Bodily Injury and Felony Obstruction of Justice. No bond has been set as of this report.

**All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty***

“There has been speculation on social media and in the community suggesting that Ms. Estes is either related to or romantically involved with an employee of the Sheriff’s Office, and that this may have influenced our investigation. That is absolutely false. Even if such a connection existed, it would not—and did not—affect the course of our investigation in any way.”

“I am deeply disgusted that someone would strike a child and leave them to die. What’s even more appalling is that this individual allowed someone else to take the blame for their actions.”

“This is a heartbreaking case, and our thoughts remain with the victim’s family. An arrest was made based on the evidence we had at the time. Once new evidence came to light, we moved swiftly to redirect our investigation and identify the correct suspect,” Sheriff Smith added. “While we are committed to acting quickly in the pursuit of justice, we also understand the immense responsibility that comes with that urgency.”