Baton Rouge, Louisiana – Early this morning, at approximately 3:30 a.m., Louisiana State Police Troop A responded to a three-vehicle crash at the intersection of Plank Road and Harding Boulevard. The incident involved 53-year-old Belinda Murphy, an off-duty captain with the Louisiana State Police, who was driving a 2023 Chevrolet Tahoe southbound on Plank Road.
At the same time, a fully marked Baton Rouge Police Department Dodge Charger and a Toyota Prius were making a left turn from Harding Boulevard to continue southbound on Plank Road. Preliminary investigations suggest that Murphy disregarded a red light at the intersection, leading to her Tahoe colliding with the Charger. The impact subsequently caused the Charger to strike the Prius.
In the aftermath of the crash, Murphy and the other drivers involved were transported to a local hospital for treatment of what were described as minor to moderate injuries. Upon their arrival, investigating troopers noted that Murphy exhibited signs of impairment. She voluntarily submitted a toxicology sample, the results of which are pending.
As a result of the investigation, Murphy was taken into custody and booked into the East Baton Rouge Parish Prison. She faces several possible charges including LRS 14:98 – Operating a vehicle while impaired (1st offense), LRS 14:39.1 – Vehicular negligent injuring (two counts), and LRS 32:232 – Traffic-control signals.
Murphy has been a member of the Louisiana State Police since 2001 and is currently assigned to the Special Investigations Division. Following the incident, she was placed on administrative leave, and all law enforcement property was recovered pending the completion of both criminal and administrative investigations.
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.