Lafayette PD Details How Suspect Escaped, Stole School Bus in Chaotic Crash

New details have emerged about the series of events leading up to Sunday evening’s major vehicle crash involving a stolen school bus in Lafayette. The suspect, Marion Baker, managed to flee a mental health facility and gain access to the bus, setting off a chaotic chain of events that injured several people.

According to Lafayette Police, the incident began at approximately 6:24 PM when Baker was transported to a mental health facility on Youngsville Highway. Upon arrival, staff members met Baker outside the facility, but instead of entering, he fled the location on foot.

Sometime after fleeing, Baker located an unoccupied Lafayette Parish school bus at an unknown location. He commandeered the vehicle and began driving, eventually reaching the intersection of W. Pinhook Road and Kaliste Saloom Road. There, the bus collided with four vehicles, causing a multi-vehicle crash that sent several people to the hospital with moderate injuries.

Witnesses described the crash as chaotic, with the bus entering oncoming traffic and drivers scrambling to avoid the collision.

The situation escalated further after the crash. Baker fled the scene on foot and encountered a bystander who had stopped to assist those involved in the wreck. He stole the bystander’s truck and drove off toward Kaliste Saloom Road and Ambassador Caffery Parkway.

Law enforcement officers tracked the stolen truck and located Baker in Rayne later that evening, where he was taken into custody without further incident.

Baker is now in custody at the Lafayette Parish Correctional Center and faces multiple charges, including reckless operation of a vehicle, hit-and-run driving, theft of a motor vehicle, and additional traffic violations.

Police are continuing their investigation into how Baker was able to access the school bus and what steps may be taken to prevent similar incidents in the future.

See the original story here.