State Police have just arrested one man in connection with the second high-speed chase in Acadiana today.
Brennan Garman, 20, of Thibodaux, was booked with speeding, aggravated flight from an officer, reckless operation, no insurance, passing on the shoulder and disobeying a red light in connection with the 60-mile chase, a Troop I spokesman said.
Troopers tried to stop Garman in Lafayette on U.S. 90 near Ambassador Caffery, the spokesman said. He wouldn’t stop, and led troopers on a chase down the highway to the base of the Morgan City Bridge, at speeds exceeding 130 miles per hour.
At one point, Garman moved from the eastbound lanes into the westbound lanes, but no one was injured, the spokesman said.
Several police agencies gathered at the base of the bridge to stop him, and when he reached that area Garman stopped and surrendered, the spokesman said.
At the time this story was posted, Troopers were still determining the charges they would book Garman with, the spokesman said.
The second high-speed chase happened on I-10 this morning at about 5:30 a.m., the spokesman said.
A trooper saw a car with a switched license plate in Acadia Parish, and tried to pull the vehicle over. The vehicle instead fled, reaching speeds in excess of 120 miles per hour, the spokesman said. The car took the Crowley exit, then sped through the intersection and tried to get back on the interstate, the spokesman said.
There the driver lost control of his vehicle, which slammed into a drainage ditch. The driver and a passenger then fled on foot, but they were quickly apprehended, the spokesman said.
The car turned out to be stolen from New Orleans. The driver, Damon Lamonte Variste, 25, of Marrero was booked with switched license plate, reckless operation, aggravated flight from an officer, illegal possession of stolen things, possession of marijuana, driving under suspension and no seat belt. He remains in the Acadia Parish Jail tonight with no bond set yet.
The passenger, Daranique Macon, 21, of Harvey, was booked with resisting arrest. She was released with a summons because she was receiving medical care, records show.
