NEW IBERIA, La. — A Lafayette man was arrested Friday morning after a police pursuit through New Iberia ended when sheriff’s deputies used spike strips to disable his vehicle.
Joseph Carpenter, 55, faces multiple charges stemming from the incident, according to authorities.
New Iberia police responded to the 1200 block of Parkview Drive at approximately 10:51 a.m. after a caller reported someone slumped over in the driver’s seat of a suspicious vehicle.
As officers approached, they reported seeing a man in the front passenger seat consuming narcotics. Authorities said the driver fled across parking lots and over curbs, prompting a pursuit.
During the several-mile chase, Carpenter allegedly crossed into opposing lanes, forced police vehicles off the roadway and struck a fence. Property damage was reported, but no one was injured.
Iberia Parish sheriff’s deputies assisted by deploying spike strips. Carpenter was taken into custody after the vehicle was disabled.
He is charged with four counts of possession of drug paraphernalia, two counts of aggravated assault of a police officer, and one count each of aggravated flight from an officer, obstruction of justice, driving under the influence and improper display of a license plate.
