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Driver charged with killing police officer in hit and run

NEW ORLEANS, July 9 (UPI) -- Three men were charged Tuesday in the death of a New Orleans police officer killed by a hit-and-run driver.

Justin McKey, 25, who allegedly admitted he was driving the car that struck officer Rodney Thomas, was charged with manslaughter and leaving the scene, The (New Orleans) Times-Picayune reported.

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Kenneth Halley, 28, and Bill Cager, 34, were charged with obstruction of justice.

Investigators say Thomas had gotten out of his police car early Sunday on Interstate 10 after being in a crash. He was then hit by a white 2013 Porsche Panamera, which sped away without stopping.

The car believed to be the one that hit Thomas was discovered Monday at an auto body shop. McKey turned himself in late Monday.

Police Superintendent Ronal Serpas told a news conference Monday that the homicide unit was involved in the investigation along with traffic fatality officers.

"We are saddened that officer Thomas' life was completely disregarded by the driver of this vehicle," Serpas said. "The web of deception that we think we have found has given us reason to believe that not only the driver was involved in subsequent behavior after the killing of Officer Thomas."

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