No one likes being stopped by the police or accused of a crime. However, those suspected of a crime are required to stop and speak with law enforcement. This applies in situations where a motorist is being pulled over by a trooper or a pedestrian is being stopped and questioned by a police officer. If there is a reasonable suspicion that a crime has or is about to be committed, law enforcement have the right and power to stop an individual to question him or her. Even when this is an uncomfortable situation, the expectation is for individuals to stop. Unfortunately, this does not always occur, resulting in additional charges faced by a suspect.
This is what happened recently in Baton Rouge when authorities were in a police chase with a suspect. According to reports, a drug investigation was going on when authorities suspected a man of a drug crime. This resulted in the suspect fleeing from the scene, supposedly using his own vehicle as a weapon against two officers. A high speed pursuit ensued, which unfortunately resulted in a fatal crash.
The fleeing suspect collided with a vehicle turning at the intersection of Florida and Stevensdale. This occurred roughly 30 minutes after the chase began. The suspect was apprehended by law enforcement and currently faces drug charges and charges related to the fatal accident. Based on reports, the suspect has pending drug charges from August and a background of drug and violent crimes.
Whether it is a defendant’s first criminal allegation or not, it is important to note that all defendants are afforded the right of a criminal defense. This can look different from one defendant to the next; thus, it is important to gain a full picture of the matter and what defense options will work best for their situation.
Source: Wbrz.com, “Charges filed against man who fled from deputies and killed innocent bystander,” Trey Schmaltz, Sept. 12, 2017
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