A Ruston man was arrested following a single-vehicle crash early last Thursday morning, according to an affidavit filed by the Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s Department.
Jakiem Devontey Tyun Owens, 22, of Ruston, was taken into custody after deputies responded to a crash at approximately 4:55 a.m. on Walnut Creek Road near Mayfield Lane.
According to the report, a deputy located a Chevrolet Impala in a wooded area off the roadway with severe front-end damage. The driver-side wheel was broken, and the vehicle was bearing a Louisiana license plate switched from another vehicle.
Deputies found Owens asleep in the driver’s seat. Authorities determined his driver’s license was suspended.
Owens had an odor of marijuana coming from his person and staggered as he walked. When asked what happened, Owens stated “deer.” Ruston Ambulance arrived on scene, and Owens requested to be transported to the hospital for evaluation.
Deputies reported detecting an odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle. During a search, deputies located two large bags of marijuana in the front passenger seat and floorboard weighing approximately 191 grams. In the side pocket of a bag in the floorboard, deputies found a prescription pill bottle with Owens’ name on it containing alprazolam (Xanax). Several units of Pantoprazole were also located, and one dosage unit of alprazolam was found mixed with the pantoprazole.
In the center console, deputies located another prescription pill bottle with no name, as the label had been removed. Inside were 35 dosage units of cyclobenzaprine hydrochloride.
Deputies also reported finding a box of cellophane plastic sandwich baggies in the glove box and digital scales in a bag in the back seat.
In the front passenger floorboard, deputies located a cellophane plastic baggie containing a blue powdery substance that appeared to be crushed Ecstasy/MDMA.
The vehicle, which was not covered by liability insurance, was towed from the scene.
Owens was transported by Ruston Ambulance to Northern Louisiana Medical Center for evaluation. After being cleared from the hospital, he was transported to the Lincoln Parish Detention Center, where he was booked for careless operation, driving under suspension, switched license plate, no insurance, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of alprazolam (Xanax), possession of a legend drug (cyclobenzaprine hydrochloride), possession of ecstasy (MDMA), and possession of drug paraphernalia.
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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