IBERIA PARISH, La. — Deputies with the Iberia Parish Sheriff’s Office arrested a 44-year-old man Tuesday afternoon following a high-speed pursuit that ended in a crash.
According to the Iberia Parish Sheriff’s Office, deputies conducted a traffic stop for a traffic violation at approximately 3:30 p.m. on September 15. The driver, identified as James Francisco, initially stopped but allegedly fled from deputies.
During the pursuit, authorities said Francisco disregarded multiple stop signs and reached speeds exceeding 100 mph.
The pursuit came to an end when Francisco crashed. He then allegedly fled the crash scene on foot before deputies apprehended him following a brief foot pursuit.
Francisco was booked into the Iberia Parish Jail on the following charges:
-
Aggravated Battery of a Police Officer — La. R.S. 14:34.2
-
Simple Assault — La. R.S. 14:38
-
Hit and Run — La. R.S. 14:100
-
Aggravated Flight from an Officer — La. R.S. 14:108.1
-
Resisting an Officer — La. R.S. 14:108
-
Possession of Drug Paraphernalia — La. R.S. 40:1023(C)
-
Driving Under Suspension — La. R.S. 32:415
-
Vehicular Hazard Warning Signals — La. R.S. 32:320.1
Bond was set at $228,000.
Sheriff Tommy Romero commended the deputies involved, citing their teamwork, communication and professionalism throughout the incident. He said their coordinated response and quick actions helped bring the situation to a safe conclusion.
The Iberia Parish Sheriff’s Office said the investigation remains ongoing and that no further information will be released at this time.
