Early Moring Traffic Stop Leads To Pursuit And Narcotics Seizure

Following an attempted traffic stop shortly before 6:00 am Sunday morning, troopers have arrested 33 year old Toby Dillard of Goldsboro, NC on charges of Aggravated Flight from an Officer, Reckless Operation of a Motor Vehicle, Hit and Run, Negligent Injuring, Attempted Car Jacking, Resisting Arrest, Possession of Marijuana, and Possession of Cocaine.

The events leading up to Dillard’s arrest began as a trooper from Louisiana State Police Troop L observed a traffic violation on a 2011 Chevrolet Malibu on Interstate 12 eastbound near the LA 445 Robert exit.  As the trooper attempted to conduct a traffic stop on the Chevrolet, the driver, later identified as Dillard, refused to stop and accelerated down I-12 attempting to elude troopers.  Dillard then exited the interstate at U.S. 190 and continued through Covington onto LA 25 disregarding traffic signals and deliberately attempting to run oncoming traffic off of the roadway.  As Dillard turned off of LA 25 onto LA 16, he lost control of his vehicle, fled on foot, and attempted to car jack another vehicle before being stopped by pursuing troopers.  As Dillard fled on foot, he attempted to discard a trash bag containing approximately 6 lbs. of Marijuana and 6 oz. of Cocaine.  

During the course of the pursuit, Dillard forced a 1998 Ford Explorer off of the roadway causing moderate injuries to the 24 year old female driver, Adrian Hart of Franklinton, LA.  Hart was wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash and was transported to Riverside Medical Center.

 Dillard was uninjured and was booked into the Washington Parish Jail.  Upon release from Washington Parish, he will be booked accordingly into the St. Tammany and Tangipahoa Parish Jails.