Man sentenced in fatal crash involving WGNO Sports Producer

NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) — The man accused of causing the crash that killed WGNO Sports Producer Mark Deane was back in court on Monday, May 12. WGNO's Mallory Smith was in in court when Jorge Sanchez-Martinez pleaded guilty to counts of negligent homicide, reckless operation of a vehicle and driving without a license. The judge accepted the plea and allowed family, friends and fellow WGNO colleagues to read impact statements. The state and Deane's family requested the maximum penalty of a 10-year sentence. Deane was killed on Aug. 23, 2024, in a multi-vehicle crash on the Crescent City Connection bridge. The investigation revealed Deane was headed east on the bridge on his 2021 Yamaha motorcycle when a 2000 Toyota Camry, driven by Sanchez-Martinez, struck the back of the motorcycle, causing Deane and the Yamaha to become airborne. The Camry then hit the back of a 2023 Nissan Rogue. Deane who was wearing a helmet at the time, was pronounced dead on the scene. Sanchez-Martinez has been sentenced to 10 years for negligent homicide with four years suspended, meaning he will only serve six years in prison. Upon release, he will serve four years on parole. He has already received credit for time served on the other two counts.