A Slidell woman accused in a deadly hit-and-run will not face trial this week.
According to the St. Tammany District Attorney’s Office, Connie Estes, 40, was set to stand trial Mondayafter she pleaded not guilty to hit-and-run driving resulting in death and obstruction of justice charges.
Estes was due in court Thursday, but according to the St. Tammany district attorney’s office, but instead, a status hearing for the case was set for May 5.
The district attorney’s office originally told WDSU that Estes rejected a plea deal, but has said since corrected that information.
“The case was continued. We will not comment on a plea or absence of a plea unless a plea or trial has occurred,” the DA’s office said in a new statement.
Estes is accused of hitting and killing 6-year-old Jeremiah Ramirez on Aug. 13, 2025, in Slidell.
Estes was arrested on Aug. 29 in connection with the deadly crash, but she was not originally the first suspect taken into custody in connection with the case.
The St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office first arrested Cody Beaudette, who was accused of drunk driving, but he was later cleared after new evidence linking Estes to the crash came to light, according to a statement issued by the sheriff’s office last year.
Sheriff Randy Smith and St. Tammany District Attorney Colin Sims issued the following statements last year after the charges against the man were dropped:
“Our top priority has always been to uncover the truth and ensure justice is served,” Smith said in an issued statement. “As new evidence came to light, it became clear that the initial charge of Vehicular Homicide was not supported. We believe in holding individuals accountable, but we also have a duty to correct course when the facts demand it. The investigation remains active as we work to fully understand what led to this tragic loss of a young life.”
“Through meetings and consultation with the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office, we have reached the joint conclusion that based on additional information collected, it is appropriate to formally refuse any and all charges related to the arrest of Mr. Cody Beaudette: vehicular homicide, hit and run driving, and reckless operation of a motor vehicle. This action is taken in advance of submission of a police report, as the Sheriff’s Office has determined after a review of information provided Mr. Beaudette’s representatives and the agency’s development of additional information in the days since, that there is sufficient information to conclude that refusal of the aforementioned charges is appropriate,” Sims said.
Danielle Rowbatham, Beaudette’s mother, issued the following statement ahead of jury selection:
“We are here to support the Ramírez family and just praying to God that justice prevails and you know for all our actions, there’s consequences and one should be held accountable,” said Rowbatham.
Estes was indicted in October 2025 and pleaded not guilty to the charges.
READ MORE:New court date set for woman accused in Slidell hit-and-run
