Opelousas Man Accused Of Running Over Police Officer To Avoid Drug Arrest

Walter Savoie Jr. of Opelousas has been arrested after he allegedly tried to get away from narcotic detectives who were trying to bring him in on crack cocaine and marijuana charges.

St. Landry Parish Sheriff's Office PIO Major Eddie Thibodeaux says the officers were in the Sunset area conducting operations when they noticed Savoie allegedly driving carelessly. Once the deputies tried to stop him, Major Thibodeaux says Savoie refused to do so and drove away dragging one of the detectives down the road. After the detective let go, deputies say Savoie veered off the road into a ditch.

“During the wrecker inventory of the vehicle, detectives discovered marijuana inside the vehicle," stated St. Landry Parish Sheriff Bobby Guidroz.

Savoie faces the following charges:

• Obstruction Of Justice
• Resisting an Officer by Flight
• Driving Under Suspension
• Reckless Operation
• Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance (Marijuana)
• Possession with Intent to Distribute Schedule II Controlled
• Dangerous Substance (Crack) Cocaine