St. John Parish Deputy hit by DUI driver David Earl McGirt July 3, 2017
St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff’s Deputy Injured in I-10 Crash by Impaired Driver
St. John the Baptist Parish – Louisiana State Police report that on July 3, 2017, shortly after 5:00 am, a hit and run crash was reported on I-10 west at mile post 210.8. During the course of investigation, a St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff’s Deputy’s vehicle was impacted by an impaired driver, later identified as 29-year-old David Earl McGirt of Baton Rouge, LA. The St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff’s Deputy was injured as a result of the crash and airlifted to University Medical Center Level 1 Trauma Center with moderate injuries.
Preliminary investigation revealed that a 2016 Toyota Corolla was traveling on I-10 west at the 210.8-mile post and was sideswiped by an unknown vehicle that fled the scene. The driver of the Toyota Corolla sustained minor injuries during the crash and was later transported to a local hospital.
David Earl McGirt DWI negligent operation July 3, 2017, St. John Parish Sheriff’s Office
The Corolla was stopped in the left lane and the initial first responder on the scene was a St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s Deputy, who stopped his vehicle behind the Corolla with his emergency lights activated. Moments later, a St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff’s Deputy arrived on the scene and parked his unit partially on the left shoulder and left lane with emergency lights activated. While investigating the hit and run, the St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff’s Deputy returned to his vehicle to retrieve a medical kit; he was standing outside of his driver’s door leaning into his unit. At that time, a Toyota Venza stopped in the left lane behind the unit and was attempting to merge into the center lane.
A 2015 Kia Optima, driven by McGirt, was traveling in the left lane and struck the left rear of the Venza, continued forward and struck the rear of the St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff’s unit. The Sheriff’s unit traveled across the three lanes of the interstate and came to rest on the right shoulder of I-10.
The officer, identified as Sgt. Stacy Lewis, was assisting with an accident on I-10 near I-55 when he was hit by a vehicle. He was airlifted to University Medical Center in New Orleans where he is being treated for a broken shoulder blade and other minor injuries. He is expected to be released today. Sgt. Lewis, an eight-year veteran of the department, was reaching into his unit to grab a first-aid kit when a car rear-ended his unit. Louisiana State Police is handling the investigation of both crashes. Below is the car that rear-ended the marked unit. The unit’s spare tire is on the ground, at the point of impact. The spare was secured underneath the unit.
The Toyota Venza received minor damage and the driver was uninjured. McGirt was uninjured and arrested for DWI, 1st Degree Vehicular Negligent Injuring and Careless Operation. He was booked into the St. John the Baptist Parish Jail.
Louisiana State Police would like to remind all motorists about the “Move Over” law. Louisiana law requires motorists to yield the right of way by making a lane change if they observe emergency vehicles or emergency hazard lights activated. If moving into another lane is not possible due to traffic, the driver must slow down to a reasonable speed when passing the emergency vehicle.
If anyone has information regarding the hit and run vehicle, please contact Louisiana State Police Troop B at 504-471-2775.
Crash into St. John the Baptist Parish Deputy July 3, 2017
| MCGIRT, DAVID EARL |
29
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Black | Male | Dorm A-300 | 07/03/2017 | St John Parish Sheriffs Office | 07/05/2017 | ||
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Charge: 14:98.1 – D.W.I. – 1ST OFFENSE (BAC .08 TO .15) (MISD); Arrest Date 07/03/2017; Bond – No 10%, $1000.00; Set By Schedule;
Charge: 32:58 – CARELESS OPERATION; Arrest Date 07/03/2017; Bond – No 10%, $250.00; Set By Schedule; Charge: 14:39.1 – VEHICULAR NEGLIGENT INJURING (MISD); Arrest Date 07/03/2017; Bond – No 10%, $50000.00; Set By Judge Sterling Snowdy; |
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Dwayne Dewey DWI July 5, 2017 St. John The Baptist Parish Jail
| DEWEY, DWAYNE |
54
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Black | Male | H-200 | 07/04/2017 | St John Parish Sheriffs Office | |||
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Probation & Parole Administrative Sanction: Serving 3 days – Concurrent; Arrest Date 07/05/2017;
Charge: 14:99 – RECKLESS OPERATION OF A VEHICLE (MISD); Arrest Date 07/04/2017; Bond – No 10%, $500.00; Set By Schedule; Charge: 14:98.1 – D.W.I. – 1ST OFFENSE (BAC .15 TO .19) (MISD); Arrest Date 07/04/2017; Bond – No 10%, $1000.00; Set By Schedule; |
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