LSP Captain Arrested Following Off-Duty DWI Crash

Baton Rouge – Shortly after 3:30 a.m. this morning, Troopers from Louisiana State Police Troop A responded to a three-vehicle crash at the intersection of Plank Rd. and Harding Blvd. in Baton Rouge. The crash occurred as 53-year-old Belinda Murphy, an off-duty Louisiana State Police Captain, operated a 2023 Chevrolet Tahoe southbound on Plank Road. At the same time, a fully marked Baton Rouge Police Department Dodge Charger and a Toyota Prius were making a left turn from Harding Blvd. to proceed southbound on Plank Rd. For reasons still under investigation, Murphy disregarded a red light at the intersection, resulting in her Tahoe striking the Charger, which then collided with the Prius. Murphy was transported to a local hospital along with the other drivers for treatment of minor-moderate injuries. Upon contact with investigating Troopers, Murphy displayed signs of impairment and voluntarily submitted a toxicology sample, the results of which are pending.

As a result of the investigation, Murphy was placed under arrest, fingerprinted at the East Baton Rouge Parish Prison, and issued a summons on charges of LRS 14:98 – Operating a vehicle while impaired (1st offense), LRS 14:39.1 – Vehicular negligent injuring (2 counts), and LRS 32:232 – Traffic-control signals.

Murphy has been employed with the Louisiana State Police since 2001 and is currently assigned to the Louisiana State Police Special Investigations Division. Murphy has been placed on administrative leave with all law enforcement property recovered pending the conclusion of the criminal and administrative investigations.

Contact Information:
Lt. Jared L. Sandifer
Louisiana State Police
Public Affairs Section
Office: (225) 925-6202
[email protected]