LULING — Three law enforcement agencies, discarded drugs, a police crash and high speeds marked a frantic pursuit Thursday through St. John the Baptist and St. Charles parishes.

According to the St. John Sheriff’s Office, the chase began when Special Operations officers attempted to initiate a traffic stop on a vehicle in the 1800 block of West Airline Highway in LaPlace.

Police said the vehicle’s driver, 38-year-old Derrel Joseph of Reserve, initially stopped to discard narcotics out of his window before fleeing to Belle Terre Boulevard and Interstates 10 and 310.

During the pursuit, two SJSO police units were involved in a minor crash at I-310, leading to one St. John deputy being taken to a local hospital, where Sheriff Mike Tregre said he was treated and released.

The vehicle chase, which grew to include Louisiana State Police and St. Charles Sheriff’s Office support, ended on River Road near Sugarhouse Road in Luling, where Joseph was apprehended. Joseph had an active warrant issued by the Special Operations Division stemming from a May arrest in which he was apprehended with more than five ounces of heroin and a stolen firearm.

Thursday’s vehicle search led to the discovery of an additional half ounce of heroin.

Joseph had been released from jail May 17 on a $32,046.78 bond.