On Tuesday evening, February 28, an Assumption Parish Sheriff’s deputy observed a vehicle that was operating without a driver’s side headlight and attempted to stop the vehicle The driver reportedly fled and led deputies on a pursuit. Shortly after 10:30 pm, the Assumption Parish Sheriff’s Office contacted the Thibodaux Police Department and reported the pursuit was headed toward the Thibodaux City Limits.
Thibodaux Police officers intercepted the pursuit and assisted until the suspect vehicle turned onto the Jackson Street Bridge. During this time, members of both agencies witnessed the driver of the vehicle, later identified as a black male, 30-year-old, Calvin Johnson, exit the moving vehicle and leap from the railing of the bridge into Bayou Lafourche.
Once entering the water, Johnson surfaced, but appeared that he was having difficulty staying above water. Officers then entered the water in an attempt to render aid, at which time the subject was no longer visible above water and was unable to be located.
With assistance from the Assumption Parish Sheriff’s Office, Louisiana State Police, Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office, St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s Office & Thibodaux Volunteer Fire Department, first responders searched for several hours in attempt to locate Johnson
Utilizing equipment and manpower from the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office Water Patrol, a cadaver dog from the St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s Office K-9 Division and lighting from the Thibodaux Volunteer Fire Department, members of the Thibodaux Police Department were able to recover Johnson’s body shortly after 2:00 am, not far from the area where he was last seen. His body was turned over to Lafourche Parish Coroner’s Office pending an autopsy to rule cause of death.
Thibodaux Police Chief Bryan Zeringue thanked the agencies who assisted with the initial incident, recovery and the ongoing investigation.