Hit and Run Leaves Woman Critically Injured in Slidell. Co-Worker Arrested

The Slidell Police Department has arrested 67 year-old Lillian Sellers of Mandeville, in connection with a hit-and-run incident that left a female victim critically injured in a local parking lot late Sunday (September 7, 2025) evening. 

Shortly after 11:00PM on Sunday, paramedics were dispatched to Greenbriar Community Care Center (505 Robert Boulevard), following a report of a woman who supposedly had fallen in the parking lot. The victim was transported to a nearby hospital for treatment. After further examination, and rapid decline of the victim’s vitals, medical personnel determined that the injuries sustained were consistent with being struck by a vehicle, not a fall. The hospital immediately notified Slidell Police about their findings. 

Around 3:00AM on Monday (September 8, 2025), Slidell Police started their investigation and went to Greenbriar Community Care Center to obtain surveillance footage of the incident. Upon reviewing the footage, investigators observed a very disturbing sequence of events. The video revealed that the victim (an employee of Greenbriar Community Care Center) was walking across the parking lot when she was violently struck by an SUV, which was backing up recklessly through the parking lot. 

Click here for video of the incident

The driver of the SUV, identified as Lillian Sellers, who was also an employee of Greenbriar Community Care Center, briefly exited the vehicle, retrieved a broken piece of the vehicle’s bumper and went to work as if nothing happened. Rather than rendering aid or notifying emergency personnel, Sellers told co-workers that a "woman fell in the parking lot” and needed help. Staff members went outside to assist the victim, not knowing she had been struck by Sellers’ vehicle and not knowing the extent of her injuries.

Upon the disturbing discovery, Slidell Police took Sellers into custody and charged her with Reckless Operation of a Motor Vehicle, Hit and Run Driving Causing Serious Bodily Injury, Negligent Injuring and Obstruction of Justice by Tampering with Evidence.

Based on the initial findings of the investigation, it is not believed that Sellers intentionally struck the victim with her vehicle; however, Sellers obviously knew she struck a person and went as far as to remove evidence to cover her tracks. Several witnesses came forward stating that it was not out of the ordinary for Sellers to drive erratically through the parking lot. Officers attempted to question Sellers about her actions, to which she reportedly just shrugged her shoulders and provided no explanation.

Sellers was booked into the Slidell City Jail and has since been transported to the St. Tammany Parish Jail. No bond has been set as of this report. The victim is currently listed in critical condition. The investigation is still on-going.

***All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty***

Obituary

Evelyn Riggs Corkern

August 21, 1931 - September 8, 2025

Obituary

Ellis Eugene Barber

July 3, 1958 - September 8, 2025

Update from Eagle Environmental for Washington Parish Re: Smitty's Supply Incident

Eagle Environmental Services, Inc. (Eagle Environmental) has prepared the following update to Washington Parish Government for activities related to the response to the August 22, 2025, Smitty’s Supply incident.

Washington Parish Government officials took quick action to ensure the safety and protection of Washington Parish residents. On the morning of August 23, 2025, during the discovery of potential impact from the release, Washington Parish Government immediately authorized Eagle Environmental Services, Inc. (Eagle Environmental) to evaluate the impact. Eagle Environmental conducted targeted environmental assessments, including sampling of soil, sediment, surface water, crops, grasses, and air quality. These targeted environmental assessments were conducted at residential, educational, recreational and agricultural areas within the suspected potentially affected areas of Washington Parish. Sampling locations were selected by their geographic location and/or guidance from Washington Parish Government officials, often in response to requests from local residents. Eagle Environmental collected the samples using U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)/Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (LDEQ) industry protocols, with analysis by an LDEQ certified analytical laboratory, and with evaluation of results to applicable LDEQ standards.

Sample results of these media are currently being received and evaluated. Preliminary evaluation of laboratory analyses received thus far indicate that the sample results from potentially affected areas continue to fall within acceptable criteria established by the EPA and/or the LDEQ.

Eagle Environmental conducted air quality monitoring within 24 hours of Smitty’s Supply release in suspected affected areas in Washington Parish using mobile and stationary air monitoring methods. These results also did not indicate a threat to public health.

The EPA has established their Unified Command in Amite City near the incident site in Tangipahoa Parish. EPA is coordinating with multiple agencies and participating in Unified Command with Tangipahoa Parish, the Louisiana State Police (LSP), the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security, the LDEQ, and the National Weather Service (NWS). The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is also involved.

EPA is updating the community via their website links:

• Site Profile - Smitty's Supply Fire - EPA OSC Response https://response.epa.gov/site/site_profile.aspx?site_id=17038

• Smitty's Plant Fire Hub Site https://smittys-plant-fire-epa.hub.arcgis.com/

Smitty’s Supply has a hotline for residents looking to file claims connected to the Roseland explosion. You can contact them at: 877-891-2276

EPA advised that if you are experiencing any adverse health effects related to this incident, please contact your medical provider. If you cannot reach your medical provider, the Louisiana Poison Center should be able to provide medical guidance. You can contact them at: 1-800-222-1222.

If you have any questions, please contact us at your convenience. 

Arrest Made for Assisting Escape from Washington Parish Jail

On Sunday (September 7, 2025), Washington Parish Deputy Sheriffs arrested 34 year-old Bradford Forrest of Franklinton for assisting Kaid Elliott after his escape on August 31, 2025. After a comprehensive investigation, deputies obtained a warrant for his arrest on Saturday (September 6, 2025) and Forrest was apprehended at his home on Sunday, 

On August 31, 2025, Kaid Montana Elliott (age 21 and of Bogalusa) and Corey Lee Ard (age 21 and of Franklinton) escaped the Washington Parish Jail by climbing the perimeter fence after a yard call. While deputies were escorting the inmates back to the jail from the yard, the inmates hid behind a structure and proceeded to scale two separate fences with barbed wire at exactly 4:06 p.m. Deputies learned of the missing inmates 30 minutes later, when a member of the public called to confirm he bonded out. The two were located and back in custody the same day. Click here for the previous story

Bradford Forrest is no stranger to the Washington Parish Jail. Click here for previous stories referencing Bradford Forrest

Sheriff Jason Smith wants to thank everyone who contacted WPSO with tips following the escape. Anyone with knowledge of illegal activity is encouraged to contact WPSO and those who aid in illegal acts will be held accountable.

***All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty***

Local Forecast for the Next Few Days

For an extended forecast and more details, go to our weather page. 

Today   A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly between 2pm and 5pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 87. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming east in the afternoon.

Tonight   A 10 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 7pm. Mostly clear, with a low around 67. East wind around 5 mph becoming calm.

Wednesday   Sunny, with a high near 90. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph.

Wednesday Night   Clear, with a low around 65. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm.

Thursday   Sunny, with a high near 92. Northeast wind around 5 mph.

Thursday Night   Clear, with a low around 66. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm.

Tropical Disturbances Today

Slidell's Man’s Foot Fetish Results in Sexual Assault Conviction

District Attorney Collin Sims reports that on September 4, 2025, a St. Tammany Parish jury deliberated for two hours before finding 47-year-old Bobby Mendell Bester of Slidell guilty of sexual battery.  Assistant District Attorneys Hank Meyer and Iain Dover presented the case to the jury with Judge John Keller presiding over the trial.

According to testimony during the trial, the Slidell Police Department received a report in March of 2018 regarding a sexual assault having occurred at a nursing home on Robert Boulevard.  Upon arrival, responding officers spoke to the facility’s administrator who directed them to a 69-year-old resident.  The resident told the officers that Bobby Bester, who performed janitorial services for the facility, had entered her room while she was lying in bed.  She said Bester commented about one of her socks having fallen off her foot and offered to put it back on for her.  Bester closed the room’s door and window blinds.  He produced some lotion and massaged the victim’s feet while asking her if she was ticklish.  He began tickling her feet and pressed her feet against his genitals several times.  Whenever footsteps were heard outside the room, Bester stopped what he was doing.

Detectives obtained a warrant for Bester’s arrest but efforts to locate him were unsuccessful.  Bester was eventually arrested six years later in February, 2024.  Upon being questioned, Bester acknowledged having a foot fetish but denied the accusation made against him by the victim.

In addition to the victim appearing before the jury, prosecutors also called another woman to the witness stand.  The second woman recounted how she was working as a real estate agent in the Northshore area in 2007 when the defendant called her, posing as a potential buyer.  After several phone conversations, the defendant told the woman he actually was not interesting in buying any real estate but was instead interested in taking her out to dinner on a date.  The woman politely declined and asked the defendant not to contact her again.  However, the defendant continued to repeatedly call the woman, one time leaving a recorded message that the woman later provided to law enforcement.  In the message, Bester says, “Can I (masturbate) on your feet?  I know you got sexy feet.  Can I just suck on it or something?”  On another occasion, Bester told the woman “I like that pink toenail polish you have on.”  Being that she was wearing open-toed shoes and pink toenail polish at that moment, the woman became concerned the defendant was following her and reported the defendant to the police.

Judge Keller set Bester’s sentencing for October 23, 2025.  Bester faces between 25 and 99 years in prison.

Obituary

Vita Capo Saltaformaggio 

April 1, 1929 - September 6, 2025 

Obituary

Geraldine Adams Penton

October 26, 1941 - September 7, 2025

Archived Video of City of Bogalusa at Audit Advisory Council Today

If you did not see the livestream of the City of Bogalusa at the Legislative Audit Advisory Council today, CLICK HERE to see the archived video. The topic of Bogalusa begins at 56:10 into the video with a report on the City of Bogalusa's audit report for Fiscal Year ending December 31, 2022. An update from Fiscal Administrator Bob Nielson begins at 1:11:30 followed by comments from Mayor Tyrin Truong, Advisory Council members, and and many others.  

Click here for background

Tickfaw Man Arrested for Shooting Brother

The Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office (TPSO) has arrested 27 year-old Randolph Brown, III, a Tickfaw man for shooting and injuring his brother during an argument at their Tickfaw-area apartment. Brown was booked on one count each of Attempted Manslaughter, Possession of a Stolen Firearm, and Convicted Felon in Possession of a Firearm.

Around 11:30 p.m. on Saturday, September 6, 2025, a call came in reporting a 24-year-old man had been shot multiple times in the stomach. The caller indicated the shooter was the victim’s brother and that he had run from the scene. The victim was transported to an area hospital where he remains in stable condition.

Around 5:30 a.m., Brown was located and taken into custody. The weapon recovered was confirmed stolen out of the Houma area.

The TPSO wants to thank the community for their quick cooperation in this case.

As a reminder, Sheriff Gerald Sticker encourages anyone with information about any crime to partner with us and report it to our Criminal Investigations Office at 985-902-2088.

If you’d prefer to share information anonymously, you can do so through Crime Stoppers of Tangipahoa’s tip line at 1-800-554-5245 or visit www.tangicrimestoppers.com and click on the P3 Tips icon or Submit A Tip! Tips submitted directly through Crimestoppers may be eligible for a cash reward.

***All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty***

Obituary

Jackie Scott Phelps

August 8, 1989 - September 8, 2025

Obituary

Edward Dillon Thompson

November 11, 1939 - September 3, 2025

Obituary

Rev. Charlie Parker

June 6, 1954 - August 31, 2025

Washington Parish Jail Bookings for September 5-7, 2025

Leonard Reynolds (age 73 with Franklinton, La. address) was booked on the charge of Domestic Abuse Battery/Aggravated Assault by the Franklinton Police Department. No bond set at this time.

Russell Jones (age 59 with Franklinton, La. address) was booked on the charges of Domestic Abuse Battery and Contempt of Court by the Washington Parish Sheriff's Office. No bond set at this time.

Hunter Beall (age 25 with Franklinton, La. address) was booked on the charges of Domestic Abuse Battery/Strangulation and Domestic Abuse/Child Endangerment by the Washington Parish Sheriff's Office. No bond set at this time.

Savanna Smith (age 36 with Franklinton, La. address) was booked on the charge of Aggravated Second Degree Battery by the Washington Parish Sheriff's Office. No bond set at this time.

Willie James (age 40 with Bogalusa, La. address) was booked on the charges of Possession of Schedule 1 Drugs (3 counts) by the Bogalusa Police Department. No bond set at this time.

Lisa Beard (age 54 with Franklinton, La. address) was booked on the charges of Criminal Trespass and Resisting an Officer by the Washington Parish Sheriff's Office. No bond set at this time.

Lariah Ealy (age 26 with Gonzales, La. address) was booked on the charge of Introduction of Contraband to Penal Institute by the Washington Parish Sheriff's Office. No bond set at this time.

Bradford Forrest (age 34 with Franklinton, La. address) was booked on the charge of Assisting Escape by the Washington Parish Sheriff's Office. No bond set at this time.

Dajuan Powell (age 24 with Bogalusa, La. address) was booked on the charges of Driving While Intoxicated, Reckless Operation of a Motor Vehicle, and No Proof of Insurance by the Franklinton Police Department. Released on $3000.00 bond.

***All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty***

Obituary

Matthew Tate

September 16, 1940 - September 2, 2025

City of Bogalusa on Agenda of Legislative Audit Advisory Council Today

The Legislative Audit Advisory Council is scheduled to meet today at 10:00 a.m.  The City of Bogalusa is on the Agenda for "Status of City of Bogalusa's audit report for FYE 12/31/22 and Update from Fiscal Administrator". The meeting promises to be informative.

The meeting can be seen live at https://legis.la.gov/legis/video.aspx?roomid=106

What is the Legislative Audit Advisory Council? The Legislative Audit Advisory Council is a joint committee of the Louisiana Legislature composed of five senators and five representatives. The Council is charged with advising and consulting with the legislative auditor concerning matters related to the functions and duties of his office and responsibilities to the Legislature, and, most importantly, resolving audit findings contained in audits issued by the legislative auditor and private accounting firms performing governmental audits in-lieu of the legislative auditor.

Obituary

James Elton Magee, Sr.

September 28, 1938 - September 4, 2025

Tropical Disturbances Today