Louisiana State Police in New Orleans

Daniel Charles of Lake Charles Arrested for Fourth Offense DWI

VINTON, LA—Troopers arrested a Lake Charles man for fourth offense DWI this morning after he drove a vehicle into a ditch.

Darrel Carter of Lake Charles 4th DWI offense Louisiana State Police crashed into ditch 030717

On March 7, 2017, shortly after 5:00 a.m., Louisiana State Police Troop D responded to a report of a vehicle in a ditch near Louisiana Highway 109 just south of I-10 west of Vinton. A Trooper determined the driver, 45-year-old Darrel Carter of Lake Charles, drove into the ditch and was impaired. Carter later refused to provide a toxicology sample. The Trooper requested and obtained a “no refusal” warrant from a judge and subsequently obtained a toxicology sample from Carter.

Carter, who has been previously arrested on numerous occasions for DWI, was charged with careless operation of a motor vehicle and DWI fourth offense (the maximum he can be charged with under Louisiana law). Carter was booked into the Calcasieu Correctional Center.

The Louisiana State Police has a process in place, in cooperation with prosecutors and judges, to request a search warrant in conjunction with a DWI arrest. If an arrested individual refuses to provide a toxicology sample, the circumstances of the arrest may be forwarded to a judge for review. If the judge determines probable cause exists, a “no refusal” warrant is issued by the judge. A qualified medical professional then obtains a toxicology sample without the consent of the arrested individual.

In 2015, 64 percent of motorists who died in crashes investigated by Troop D were killed by an impaired driver.

In 2015, 64 percent of motorists who died in crashes investigated by Troop D were killed by an impaired driver. To report impaired drivers, motorists are encouraged to dial *LSP (*577) from their cellular phone to reach the nearest Louisiana State Police troop location or to contact local law enforcement.