Nicolas Porche DWI hit and run had 3 prior DWI convictions Photo courtesy of WAFB
Nicolas Porche Arrested After Manhunt Following Fatal Crash in West Baton Rouge Parish
Erwinville, LA — 12/08/2015– Lousiana State Police report that at approximately 5:00 am on November 20, 2015, Troopers from Louisiana State Police Troop A began investigating a two vehicle fatality crash that occurred at the intersection of LA Hwy 620 and LA Hwy 983 (Section Rd. at Bueche Rd.) in West Baton Rouge Parish. The crash took the life of 53-year-old Michael Holmes of Ventress, LA.
The initial investigation by State Police revealed that the crash occurred as 27-year-old Nicholas Porche was traveling westbound on LA Hwy 620 in a white 2008 GMC Sierra. At the same time, Holmes was traveling southbound on LA Hwy 983 in a red 1998 Ford F-150. As Porche approached the intersection of LA Hwy 620 and LA Hwy 983, he failed to yield at the stop sign and proceeded into the path of Holmes’ vehicle. Holmes was unable to avoid Porche’s vehicle and struck it on the left side. After impact, Porche’s vehicle began to overturn and came to rest on the northwest side of the intersection.
After the crash, Porche fled the scene into a cane field. Troopers, along with Deputies from the West Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office and the Baton Rouge Police Department’s K-9 Officers, searched the area for Porche. The Louisiana State Police Aviation Unit responded to the scene with a helicopter to assist with the search and was able to locate Porche in the cane field approximately ½ mile from the crash scene.
Holmes was not properly restrained and sustained fatal injuries as a result of the crash. He was pronounced deceased at the scene by the West Baton Rouge Parish Coroner’s Office. Porche was properly restrained and received minor injuries in the crash but refused aid. A toxicology sample will be taken from Holmes but impairment is not suspected.
Troopers do suspect impairment on the part of Porche and he was placed under arrest at the scene. A toxicology sample will be taken from Porche for analysis. Porche was transported to the West Baton Rouge Parish Jail where he was booked with 4th Offense DWI, Vehicular Homicide, Felony Hit and Run, Operating a Vehicle Without Required Interlock Device, and Failure to Yield at a Stop Sign.
Louisiana State Troopers want to inform motorists that impaired driving continues to be a major problem throughout Louisiana. Whether impaired through alcohol, drugs, or a combination of the two, the consequences of driving while impaired remain the same. Also, all occupants of a motor vehicle must be restrained, regardless of seating position. While not all crashes are survivable, statistics show that the chances of surviving a crash rise significantly when properly restrained. Making good choices while in motor vehicles such as never driving while impaired, always ensuring every occupant is properly restrained, and avoiding all distractions can often mean the difference between life and death.
