Deputy snares suspect after crash

• Advocate Baker - Zachary bureau
• Published: Jul 1, 2009 - Page: 5B

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CLINTON — An East Feliciana Parish sheriff’s deputy escaped injury Tuesday when the driver of a truck the officer was chasing slammed on his brakes, causing the deputy’s car to plow into the rear of the truck, a spokesman for Sheriff Talmadge Bunch said.

Deputy Eli Hollie chased the driver into the woods and captured him without incident, Detective Don McKey said.

Deputies booked Rafe Earl Turner, 27, 12418 Branch Lane, Clinton, with aggravated criminal damage to property, aggravated flight from an officer, aggravated obstruction of a highway, possession of marijuana and driving with a suspended license, McKey said.

Hollie began chasing Turner about noon when he saw the man’s truck illegally pass a vehicle at the intersection of La. 10 and La. 67 in Clinton, McKey said. Turner stopped behind the parish courthouse and stepped out of his truck, but jumped back in and drove away toward the east on La. 10, McKey said.

Hollie said Turner began pumping his brakes and finally slammed to a halt as Hollie’s patrol car approached, causing it to hit the back of the pickup.