A Ruston man is in custody after he led local law officers on a chase from Ruston to near Spearsville in Union Parish.
About 1:30 a.m. Thursday, a Ruston Police officer attempted to stop Alexis Quornez Drake, 23, of Ruston. Drake, who was wanted on an arrest warrant, failed to stop and a pursuit ensued, with Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s deputies joining in as the vehicle fled north on Louisiana Highway 33.
Ruston Police contacted the Union Parish Sheriff’s Office to report the pursuit was headed toward Union Parish. Given the vehicle’s description, UPSO patrol deputies responded to the area to attempt to intercept the vehicle
Both Lincoln Parish and Ruston PD units terminated the pursuit as the vehicle entered Union Parish. UPSO deputies spotted the vehicle traveling north on La. 33 near Red Rock Lane and attempted a traffic stop. The vehicle sped up to flee from law enforcement officers. Deputies observed the vehicle had no visible license plate and matched the description of the vehicle RPD was previously pursuing.
During the pursuit, deputies saw the vehicle cross the center line and enter the opposing lane several times while oncoming traffic was approaching. The suspect exceeded 100 miles per hour several times in a posted 55mph zone. The pursuit continued toward Spearsville where the vehicle turned onto La. Highway 558. Deputies attempted a rolling roadblock maneuver to box in the vehicle. The driver of the vehicle then intentionally swerved toward a fully marked UPSO unit in an attempt to force the deputy off the roadway. The deputy had to perform an evasive maneuver to avoid crashing.
A short time later, the driver suddenly stopped, exited the vehicle, and surrendered to deputies without further incident.
Drake was booked at the Union Parish Detention Center for aggravated flight from an officer, aggravated assault with a motor vehicle upon a peace officer, no driver’s license, improper display of plates, and the Ruston PD warrant.
Drake’s bail was set by a Third District Court judge at $400,000.
Similar charges are pending in Lincoln Parish.
This information has been provided by a law enforcement agency as public information. Persons named or shown in photographs or video as suspects in a criminal investigation, or arrested and charged with a crime, have not been convicted of any criminal offense and are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
