Covington Police Make Arrest After Vehicle Pursuit and Crash – 4 Agencies Involved

On Saturday (August 20, 2022) at approximately 1:20 PM, a Covington Police Department Officer initiated a traffic stop on a 2016 Ford Pickup Truck for an illegal U-Turn. After the officer initiated his blue police lights, the driver of the vehicle refused to pull over leading the officer in pursuit traveling westbound on US Highway 190. 

During the pursuit, the Ford pickup switched lanes multiple times causing other motorists to leave the roadway for their safety. The pursuit then reached the intersection of Louisiana State Highway 1077 and Railroad Avenue, where the passenger of the Ford pickup was able to exit the vehicle. Backup officers quickly detained the passenger while other officers continued the pursuit. 

After the passenger exited the Ford pickup, the vehicle turned southbound on LA 1077, where he continued to attempt to evade officers. Officers observed the vehicle driving erratically, causing other motorists to exit the roadway. Officers also observed the driver throwing items out of the window of his truck. 

The pursuit ended near the intersection of LA Highway 22 and LA Highway 1085 when the Ford pickup crashed, after striking a Covington Police Department Unit and striking another motorist's vehicle.

The driver of the Ford pickup was quickly arrested and identified as 29 year-old Jeremy March. He was ultimately charged with Aggravated Flight from an Officer, Aggravated Obstruction of a Highway, Theft of a Motor Vehicle, Reckless Operation, Felon in Possession of a Firearm, Improper Lane Usage, and Introduction of Contraband into Penal Facility.

Officers were also able to recover the object thrown during the pursuit and discovered that it was a firearm. Officers also learned that the Ford pickup truck was reported as a stolen vehicle.  

The Covington Police Department would like to thank the Louisiana State Police, St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office, and the Madisonville Police Department for their assistance in this pursuit.