After a thorough investigation, in which Slidell Police detectives and the fatality team jointly investigated, 52-year-old, Thomas J. Otero of Slidell, was placed under arrest for Negligent Homicide and Hit and Run.
Slidell Police began the investigation on Monday, February 15, after a body was discovered in a ditch, along the E. I-10 Service Road. The victim was identified as 48-year-old, Jason Milto of Slidell. Injuries to Milto’s body led investigators to determine that he was stuck by a vehicle while walking along the side of the road. It took investigators several days to view surveillance video, from different businesses, in order to piece together the sequence of events that led up to the victim’s death. After analyzing crash debris left at the scene, and corroborating video surveillance footage, investigators focused their efforts on a late model white Ford F-150 pickup truck, as being the suspect’s vehicle. As officers began searching for the vehicle, an off-duty Slidell Police detective spotted the Ford F-150 at a gas station near Indian Village Road. Thomas Otero was subsequently arrested for the fatal hit and run crash. Otero did not stop to assist the victim, nor did he contact anyone to report the accident. It wasn’t until the next day (15 hours later) that the victim was found.
Slidell Police Chief Randy Fandal says they extend their thoughts and prayers to the victim’s family during this difficult time.
Otero was booked into the Slidell City Jail and has since been transferred to the St. Tammany Parish Jail.
