Carencro, Louisiana – A Louisiana police officer was injured in a hit-and-run crash on the entrance ramp to Interstate 49 at Gloria Switch Road on July 31, 2024. The incident occurred shortly after 9:00 p.m. when a Lafayette Police Department (LPD) Motors Unit motorcycle was struck by a 2019 Chevrolet Silverado.
According to the preliminary investigation, the LPD officer was blocking the entrance ramp to allow a funeral procession to pass through when the Chevrolet, driven by 34-year-old Chelsea Meaux of Breaux Bridge, Louisiana failed to stop for the emergency vehicle. Meaux struck the officer and motorcycle, then fled the scene without offering assistance or checking on the officer’s condition.
Responding officers quickly located and stopped Meaux, who was subsequently arrested by Louisiana State Police Troop I. During the investigation, Meaux was found to be impaired and provided a voluntary breath sample, which revealed a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) above the legal limit.
Meaux was booked into the Lafayette Parish Sheriff’s Office Jail on charges of DWI 1st offense, felony hit-and-run, first-degree negligent injuring, and careless operation. The injured officer was transported to a nearby hospital, where they are currently in stable condition with moderate to severe injuries. Meaux was uninjured in the crash.
According to the Louisiana State Police, alcohol, prescription drugs, and other drugs can significantly impair driving skills by affecting visual ability, altering the sense of time and space, impairing fine motor skills, and decreasing reaction times. Motorists are encouraged to plan ahead and designate a sober driver to avoid deadly consequences.
An arrest is an indication that probable cause exists to believe the subject was involved in the offense alleged. All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty.