Underage Driver Arrested Following Hit-and-Run Crash with a Louisiana State Trooper

St. Charles Parish – On November 24, 2023, shortly after 1:30 a.m., a Trooper with Louisiana State Police Troop B was assisting a disabled vehicle on the left shoulder, partially in the left lane of I-10 west on the Bonnet Carre Spillway near milepost 215 in Norco, La. The Trooper positioned his fully marked patrol unit in the left lane with the emergency lights activated while the driver of the disabled vehicle changed a tire.

While the Trooper was outside of his vehicle, a 2019 Nissan Maxima, driven by 19-year-old Briana Dunlap of St. Gabriel, LA, approached the location and impacted the rear of the marked unit. After the crash, Dunlap briefly stopped on the left lane before continuing west on I-10. With the assistance of the St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s Office, Dunlap’s vehicle was stopped a short distance away.

During the investigation, Dunlap displayed signs of impairment and provided a breath sample, which indicated blood alcohol concentration over the legal limit for a person under 21. Dunlap was placed under arrest and booked into the St. John Parish Correctional Center for 1st offense of underage DWI. Dunlap was also issued a citation for Hit and Run which occurred in St. Charles Parish. The Trooper and Dunlap were uninjured in the crash.

This crash serves as an essential reminder of what can happen when a driver chooses to drive impaired, and friends don't intervene. Last year, over 11,250 people were arrested for DWI in Louisiana. These numbers are staggering, especially given the access to ride-share and taxis. Motorists are urged to report impaired drivers by dialing *LSP (*577) to reach the nearest State Police Troop location or by calling 911.

Contact Information

Trooper First Class Zavier Martin

Louisiana State Police

Public Affairs Section - Troop B

Office: (504) 471-2775

[email protected]