Police and Fire Briefs for Nov. 22, 2009

• Advocate staff report
• Published: Nov 22, 2009 - Page: 2B

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A Baton Rouge man was killed Friday night when his sport utility vehicle drifted from his lane into oncoming traffic and collided with another vehicle, according to a Baton Rouge Police Department news release. 

Michael Branch, 49, 7141 Modesto Ave., was driving his 2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer north on Plank Road at around 11 p.m. when he lost control for no apparent reason and entered into the southbound traffic lane, police spokesman Cpl. L’Jean McKneely said.

Branch’s SUV collided with a Chevrolet pickup truck driven by a 45-year-old man.

Branch was pronounced dead at the scene, McKneely said. The driver of the other vehicle was transported to a hospital for treatment of moderate injuries.

The investigation is still ongoing, but excessive speed and alcohol might have contributed to the wreck, McKneely said.
Motorcycle officer hit; injuries minor

A Baton Rouge motorcycle police officer who was guiding a funeral procession Saturday received minor injuries when he struck a car in the procession, the Police Department reported.

Police spokesman Cpl. L’Jean McKneely said in a news release the accident occurred at 2:20 p.m. near Government and Park streets when the motorcycle officer, who was not identified, was passing a line of cars in the funeral procession, McKneely said.

The officer was trying to get to a traffic light to wave the procession through the intersection when one of the cars in the procession swerved into the motorcycle’s path, McKneely said.

Ivory Jones, 52, of 2046 Kansas St., the driver of the car that swerved into the motorcycle’s path, was cited with failure to maintain control of his vehicle, McKneely said.

Jones told police that he swerved to avoid an accident, McKneely added.

7 booked with DWI at EBR Parish Prison
Authorities arrested at least seven people suspected of driving while intoxicated in East Baton Rouge Parish and booked them into Parish Prison between 3 p.m. Friday and 3 p.m. Saturday, booking records show.

Those booked and the counts against them:

• Henry Jess Pryor, 52, 18627 Red Oak Drive, Prairieville, third-offense DWI, hit-and-run and failure to maintain control of vehicle.
• Samie Lee Williams Jr., 35, 21935 Hunt Road, Zachary, first-offense DWI and improper lane usage.
• Tonya Lynn Johnson, 37, 11613 Sherwood, first-offense DWI, driver’s license not in possession, reckless operation of a vehicle and improper turns.
• Eddie Olando Bovia, 27, 704 N. 23rd St., first-offense DWI, reckless operation of a vehicle and headlights required.
• David Christopher Robertson, 27, 1331 N. Sherwood Forest, first-offense DWI, speeding and possession of alcoholic beverage in vehicle.
• Joshua Ashford, 24, 10013 W. Big Sur Court, first-offense DWI, public intimidation, reckless operation of a vehicle, flight from officer, passing a parked emergency vehicle and resisting an officer.
• Quinton Tatum, 24, 3559 Harrison St., Baker, first-offense DWI, hit-and-run and failure to maintain control of vehicle.