Lake Charles –
Last night at approximately 6:00 p.m. the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office responded to a call at the intersection of Goos Road and Miller Avenue in Westlake in reference to a 2 vehicle crash. The initial investigation revealed the driver of a four door pickup truck, Joshua L. Anderson, 24, 1620 Hilma Street, Westlake, was traveling east in the middle of the roadway on Goos Road when he ran a stop sign. Anderson struck a 4 door pickup truck that was headed south on Miller Avenue, causing both trucks to travel off the roadway, flipping into a ditch. The driver traveling on Miller Avenue and the front seat passenger, who was 21 weeks pregnant, were transported to a local hospital by ambulance. The 2 year old passenger in the truck, who was in a car seat in the backseat, was airlifted to a hospital out of town.
During the investigation while deputies were speaking with Anderson they observed numerous empty beer bottles inside his truck. They also observed Anderson to show signs of impairment. During further questioning Anderson refused to cooperate and kicked a deputy. Anderson, who refused standard field sobriety and breath intoxilyzer testing, was arrested. Deputies obtained a warrant to have his blood drawn for a toxicology report; he was then transported to a local hospital. After hospital personnel collected the blood sample he was transported back to CPSO and booked into the Calcasieu Correctional Center and charged with DWI 1st; resisting an officer; failure to stop at a stop sign; driving on a roadway laned for traffic; battery on a police officer; vehicular negligent injuring; and 2 counts of 1st degree vehicular negligent injuring. Judge Clayton Davis set his bond at $4,000.
It was later learned the unborn baby died at the hospital. Anderson will be additionally charged with 3rd degree feticide. Bond for his additional charge is pending.
The driver was later released from the hospital with minor injuries. The woman remains in the hospital in serious condition and the young child remains in ICU in critical condition.
The crash is still under investigation. CPSO Sgt. Bryan Alexander is the lead investigator on this case.
UPDATE: Judge Clayton Davis has set Anderson’s bond for the 3rd degree feticide at $500,000; for a total bond of $504,000.