Speeding Incident on Hwy. 10 Was “Recipe for Disaster”

Last Thursday (June 28, 2018), Washington Parish Sheriff’s Office Patrol Deputy Jay Dupre was clocked two vehicles traveling eastbound in excess of 90 miles per hour on Highway 10 (Bogalusa-Franklinton Highway). As he was in pursuit, Deputy Dupre observed that the two vehicles would alternately pass each other.
Deputy Richard Serigne responded to assist. As Deputy Dupre caught up with the vehicle closest to him, the driver suddenly braked hard, causing a minor impact between the patrol vehicle and the fleeing vehicle. Deputy Dupre passed the vehicle, leaving Deputy Serigne to handle the car and its occupants.
Deputy Dupre was unable to catch up with the other vehicle, a black Mazda sedan, which eluded the deputy somewhere east of Sunset Drive in Bogalusa.
Returning to the stopped vehicle, Deputies Dupre and Serigne discovered eight persons inside the vehicle. The driver, identified as Tyler James Rester (19) a resident of Highway 60 in Bogalusa was arrested and transported to the Washington Parish Jail charged with speeding 41 and more over the speed limit, aggravated flight from an officer and no driver’s license. His bond was set at $10,000. He met the conditions of his bond and was released from jail the same date.
The vehicle Rester was driving belonged to his grandfather and Rester had taken the vehicle without permission. The grandfather responded to the scene and took custody of the vehicle.
An occupant of the vehicle, Gregory Lenard Brown (19), a resident of North Davis Road in Bogalusa was arrested for possession of marijuana and obstruction of justice. He met the conditions of his $2,500 bond and was released from jail the day of his arrest.
Other occupants of the vehicle who were under the age of 18 were permitted to contact a parent or guardian who then responded to the scene. The juveniles were released to their custody. Vehicle occupants above the age of 18 were allowed to leave the scene.
Sheriff Randy Seal stated, “This could have resulted in a tragedy. I am so pleased that Deputy Dupre was able to intercept this speeding vehicle. Two cars passing each other back and forth at very high speeds on a public highway are a recipe for disaster. I am so grateful no one was hurt. Thank you, Deputy Dupre and Deputy Serigne for a job well done.”