WEST MONROE, La. — The West Monroe community is mourning the heartbreaking loss of 41-year-old Jason Ellis, who was tragically killed in a hit-and-run collision late Tuesday night. The fatal incident, which has left family, friends, and neighbors in shock, occurred near the intersection of Arkansas Road and Wallace Dean Road, according to the West Monroe Police Department.
Authorities say Ellis was struck by a vehicle around 10:45 p.m., and the driver fled the scene before first responders arrived. Paramedics and police units rushed to the location after receiving multiple emergency calls from nearby residents who reported hearing a loud impact followed by screeching tires. Despite efforts to save him, Ellis was pronounced dead at the scene.
Investigators are actively searching for the driver involved. Police have not yet released a description of the suspect vehicle but are urging anyone with information or surveillance footage from the area to come forward. “This was a senseless tragedy that has shaken our entire community,” said Chief Robert Terral of the West Monroe Police Department. “We are doing everything we can to bring the person responsible to justice and provide closure for Jason’s loved ones.”
Jason Ellis was known throughout West Monroe as a kind-hearted and hardworking man. Friends describe him as someone who “would give the shirt off his back” to help others. A longtime resident of Ouachita Parish, Ellis worked as a technician at a local auto repair shop and was deeply involved in community events and youth programs.
“He was the kind of person everyone loved being around,” said Michelle Turner, a close friend and co-worker. “He always had a smile on his face, always willing to lend a hand. It’s just hard to believe he’s gone.”
Ellis leaves behind his wife, Amanda Ellis, and two children, Landon and Kaylee, ages 12 and 9. His family released a brief statement Wednesday morning, expressing their grief and gratitude for the community’s outpouring of support:
“Jason was a wonderful husband, father, and friend. Our hearts are shattered by his sudden passing. We ask for prayers, privacy, and justice as we try to navigate this unimaginable loss.”
A candlelight vigil is being organized for Friday evening at Kiroli Park, where friends and residents are expected to gather to honor Ellis’s memory. Organizers are encouraging attendees to wear blue — Jason’s favorite color — as a symbol of unity and remembrance.
Police are asking anyone who may have seen suspicious activity in the area or who has dashcam footage from around the time of the crash to contact the West Monroe Police Department Traffic Division at (318) 396-2722 or Crime Stoppers of Ouachita Parish.
As the investigation continues, West Monroe stands united in grief, holding onto memories of a man who, by all accounts, made the world around him brighter.
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