| id | cleanReleaseDate | troopName | title |
| 3993 | 2014-08-29 | Troop E | Texas Woman Arrested for DWI after High Speed Pursuit |
TROOP E NEWS RELEASE August 29, 2014 Texas Woman Arrested for DWI after High Speed Pursuit Vernon Parish – Early yesterday evening, a woman from Lufkin, TX led Troopers on a high speed chase that began on LA Hwy 8 and ended in Leesville, LA. The woman, identified as Theresa Gail Spears (W/F 47 yrs), is suspected of driving under the influence of methamphetamine. At approximately 7:19 p.m., a Trooper on patrol in Vernon Parish observed a 2005 Toyota speeding on LA Hwy 8. After verifying the speed on his radar, he attempted to stop the vehicle by activating his blue emergency lights and siren. The driver refused to stop and attempted to elude the Trooper by passing vehicles on the shoulder at a speed up to 128 mph in a 45 mph zone. When the vehicle reached US Hwy 171, Spears failed to stop at two separate red lights and failed to stop at several stop signs. With the assistance of Leesville Police Department, the tires on Spears’ vehicle were successfully spiked. However, she continued to drive the Toyota for approximately two miles before stopping at a business located on LA Hwy 1213 in Leesville. After coming into contact with Spears, she advised the Trooper that she thought she was in Jasper, TX and made other delusional comments. Spears was arrested and charged with aggravated flight from a police officer, DWI, and speeding (128/45). She was booked into the Vernon Parish Detention Center. Speeding is one of the most prevalent factors contributing to traffic crashes (NHTSA). Motor vehicle traffic crashes are complex events that are a culmination of various driver, vehicle or environment-related factors. Driver-related factors that contribute to motor vehicle traffic crashes are mostly behavioral in nature. These include impaired driving, aggressive driving (including speeding), and distracted driving. Speeding reduces a driver’s ability to steer safely around curves or objects in the roadway, extends the distance necessary to stop a vehicle, and increases the distance a vehicle travels while the driver reacts to a dangerous situation. Motorists must be reminded that drugs (legal and illegal) have many effects on the body. The type of effect is determined by the type of drug. Some of the physical side effects of methamphetamine are hyperactivity, increased movement, blurred vision, and dizziness. These are definitely not conditions in which a person needs to be driving a vehicle. Contact Information: M/T Daniel “Scott” Moreau Louisiana State Police Public Affairs Section – Troop E Office: (318) 769-9USA (872) scott.moreau@la.gov www.LSP.org www.facebook.com/LouisianaStatePolice | |||
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