Louisiana Man Charged with 3rd DWI in A Month After LDWF Agents Find Him Allegedly Intoxicated in His Damaged Vehicle

Louisiana – On August 5, 2022, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) reported that enforcement agents and Louisiana State Police (LSP) troopers arrested a Gonzales, Louisiana man for alleged traffic offenses.

LDWF agents arrested Branden Rockwood, 31, for third offense of driving a vehicle while impaired (DWI) and while under license suspension. The Louisiana State Police also charged Rockwood with hit and run, careless operation, operating a vehicle without a license, expired motor vehicle inspection, illegal tint, and not possessing vehicle insurance.

Around 10:30 a.m., agents on patrol discovered a black Lincoln Town Car with front-end damage on the shoulder of Interstate 10 in St. James Parish. Agents made contact with Rockwood, the operator, and discovered that he was intoxicated and had been involved in a car accident. Rockwood was arrested and put into the St. James Parish Jail.

The agents then discovered that the LSP was looking into a hit-and-run in St. John Parish. The LSP was able to connect Rockwood to the hit-and-run in St. John Parish and filed further charges against him.

This was Rockwood’s third DWI offense in a month.

Third offense DWI brings a $1,000 to $2,000 fine and one to five years in prison. Operating a vehicle while under license revocation carries up to a $500 fine and six months in jail. Hit and run brings up to a $500 fine and six months in jail. Illegal window tint carries up to a $150 fine. Failing to have vehicle insurance brings a $500 to $1,000 fine. The penalties for careless operation, no driver’s license and expired motor vehicle inspection are set by the parish.

Corporal Steven Jackson, Corporal Christopher Hebert, and Agent Austin Anderson are the LDWF agents involved in the case.

An arrest is an indication that probable cause exists to believe the subject was involved in the offense alleged. A person is innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.