Louisiana mayor, 84, is killed just hours before polls closed in reelection battle

A Louisiana mayor running for re-election died in a car crash just hours before the polls closed on Election Day.

Mayor Velma Hendrix, 84, was killed in a two-vehicle wreck on a Louisiana highway at about 11am on Tuesday.

Hendrix was the mayor of Melville, a town of about 1,000 people in southern Louisiana.

She was killed when a Dodge pickup, which was trying to cross the highway, collided with the side of an Acura SUV she was riding in the back seat of. 

Police said Hendrix was not wearing a seatbelt during the collision and died after being taken to the hospital. 

Hendrix was first elected mayor of Melville in 2018, winning 70 percent of the small town's votes, according to The Acadiana Advocate.  

Mayor Velma Hendrix, 84, was killed in a two-vehicle wreck on a Louisiana highway at about 11am on Tuesday

Hendrix was first elected mayor of Melville in 2018, winning 70 percent of the small town's votes

The crash happened as Michal Cook approached the intersection of Highway 741 and 190 driving a Dodge 2500.

As the Acura Hendrix was riding in approached the intersection, Cook failed to yield as he crossed the intersection and collided with the passenger side of the Acura.

Cook was found not to be intoxicated at the scene, nor was the driver of the Acura. Cook was given a citation for failing to stop at a stop sign, according to The Advocate.

He and three other passengers in the Acura sustained mild to severe injuries, according to police.

Hendrix was the mayor of Melville, a town of about 1,000 people in southern Louisiana

The highway intersection where Hendrix was killed when a pickup truck collided with the SUV she was riding in 

Hendrix was running against Sheila Londerno and Caretta Robertson before her death.

State officials said that because Hendrix died before polls closed, the election would remain open and other candidates would be given the opportunity to qualify.

Qualification will remain open until Monday. If a new candidate qualifies the election will be held again on December 10.

If a new candidate does not qualify by Monday, Loderno will become Melville's mayor. Loderno received over 51 percent of the town's vote after the 70 votes for Hendrix were removed from the totals. 

State officials said that because Hendrix died before polls closed, the election would remain open and other candidates would be given the opportunity to qualify

Hendrix (center) pictured with members of her community while serving as mayor of Melville 

As news broke of Hendrix's death, people who knew her took to social media to pay their tributes, calling her a 'wonderful' person who 'touched many lives' in the small town of Melville.

Ms. Velma Hendrix touched many lives in Melville in her public service as a former educator and politician (current Mayor of Melville),' wrote Mary Polozola Morain on Facebook. 'She taught many individuals (including my siblings and me) who have prospered from the knowledge she shared with us.'

Jayme Johnson asked that people keep Hendrix's family and friends in their prayers.

 Life has continued to show me that you can be gone in the blink of an eye,' she wrote. 'Melville lost a wonderful soul yesterday. Please keep the friends & family of our Mayor, Mrs Velma Hendrix in your prayers.'