A traffic stop for a broken brake light escalated to a high-speed pursuit when a Ruston man fled a Lincoln Parish deputy.
Abraham Priego, 19, was arrested after a chase last Saturday that began at the Spirit Mart on LA Highway 33 in Ruston and ended on U. S. 80 near Calhoun in Ouachita Parish Saturday morning about 3 a.m.
Priego’s vehicle was first seen with a malfunctioning brake light on the South Service Road in Ruston. A deputy stopped the vehicle at the Spirit Mart service station on LA 33. A record check showed the Ford pickup’s registration was expired since March.
Priego told the deputy he was aware of the brake light problem but could not get it to work. A check showed Priego was wanted on three outstanding bench warrants from Ruston City Court for failure to appear in court on charges of resisting an officer, no driver’s license, and running a stop sign.
When Priego was directed out of the truck, he instead put it in drive and fled. Deputies pursued him on I-20 in excess of 104 miles per hour, weaving in and out of lanes around vehicles. He left I-20 at exit 101, running a stop sign at LA 151 and engaging in dangerous maneuvers around other vehicles. He continued on LA 151 until he turned west on U. S. 80 where he eventually stopped, and he and his passenger surrendered.
Priego is charged with aggravated flight from an officer, possession of a Schedule II controlled substance (Adderall), possession of drug paraphernalia, DWI, open container, improper brake lights, and no vehicle registration. Priego’s bail was set at $60,500.
The passenger, Lavontae Charles Burks, 19, of Hodge, was booked for possession of Adderall and possession of drug paraphernalia. His bail was set at $5,000.
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.
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