News Release

<p style="text-align: left;" align="center">On Wednesday, August 22^nd, 2018 at 9:12 AM, Officers with the Lake Charles Police Department conducted a traffic stop near the intersection of 5^th Avenue and Willowick Street in reference to serving a felony arrest warrant.</p><p style="text-align: left;">While conducting their investigation at this traffic stop, a 2008 Dodge Ram 1500 struck the rear of an unmarked police detective vehicle then continued toward Officers and a civilian that were standing near the rear of a nearby police truck.  The Officer and the civilian attempted to jump out of the way of the oncoming vehicle.  The Dodge Ram then struck the police truck and the civilian.  The Dodge Ram then continued driving southbound on 5^th Avenue.  Multiple Officers gave chase and the Officer driving the police truck that had just been struck was able to maneuver in front of the Dodge Ram and stop the vehicle.</p><p style="text-align: left;">The civilian that was struck was taken to a local hospital with moderate injuries and has been released. </p><p style="text-align: left;">The driver of the Dodge Ram was also taken to a local hospital.  The driver of the Dodge Ram was identified as Justiana Etienne, 61 years old, of Lake Charles.  Etienne was arrested and charged with driving while intoxicated, two counts of careless operation and one count of improper lane usage.  Etienne was released at the hospital with the above listed charges pending.</p><p style="text-align: left;">Senior Corporal Shaun Touchet and Officer Rodney Grantham with the Lake Charles Police Department Traffic Division are the lead investigators in this offense.</p><p>Justiana Etienne of Lake Charles</p>