State Police catch Jeep going 80 miles-per-hour on interstate

By ROBIN SHANNON

Staff Reporter

BOUTTE – State police arrested an 11-year-old boy who was involved in a high-speed chase on Interstate 310 in St. Charles Parish early Friday morning.

Troop B Spokesman Joseph Piglia said the boy, who’s name was not released, was using the vehicle to drive his disabled father to various locations over the past six months, but at the time of the chase, the boy was the only occupant in the vehicle.

Piglia said the pursuit began around 6:30 a.m. Friday when a trooper working speed enforcement on southbound I-310 near Airline Highway attempted to stop a 1996 Jeep SUV, driven by the boy, traveling at 80 miles per hour in a 60-mph zone. The young driver refused to stop, and continued to accelerate to speeds over 100-mph. He passed several other vehicles on the shoulder of the road, and forced them off the highway.

After about eight miles, Piglia said the driver exited I-310 to U.S. 90, where he proceeded westbound toward the parking lot of a Burger King at the intersection of U.S. 90 and Ruth Street in Boutte. The driver exited the vehicle and ran into the restaurant calling for his mother.

Piglia said the boy’s mother works at the Burger King, and that the family lives in Boutte. He said the boy was returning from Oschner Medical Center-Kenner, formerly Kenner Regional, where he dropped his father off for an appointment.

Police charged the boy with felony flight from an officer, reckless driving, speeding, passing on the shoulder, improper lane usage, and driving with no license, he was released to the custody of an aunt.

The boy’s parents, Leona Calloway, 32, and Rodney Brown, 46, were booked with improper supervision of a minor and allowing an unlicensed minor to drive.

According to Piglia, neither the parents, nor the boy were jailed as a result of the incident, but all three are required to appear in court to respond to the charges.