Lake Charles, LA – A Louisiana man faces multiple charges after allegedly hijacking a construction crane and causing a series of crashes on Interstate 10 early Saturday morning, leaving two people injured and prompting a prolonged road closure.
Chaos on I-10
Authorities identified the suspect as Matthew Vincent, 37, of Vinton. Police said the incident began around 5:30 a.m. near Louisiana Highway 108, when several vehicles collided with a work zone.
NY Post reported that the officers discovered a construction crane sitting in the median, its cables hanging over the westbound lanes. One vehicle struck the cables, triggering three additional collisions.
Investigation Reveals Bizarre Details
No construction crew was present at the time, and no one was operating the crane before Vincent allegedly entered it. Detectives later found a Ram pickup truck key fob inside the crane, linking a truck in a nearby field to the suspect. Authorities believe Vincent drove the truck off the highway, became stuck, and fled on foot across the interstate before unlawfully entering the crane.
Once inside, he allegedly moved the crane’s boom arm onto the roadway, causing major damage to the equipment and obstructing traffic. The resulting highway pile-up left two people injured and closed the interstate for several hours.
Charges and Arrest
Vincent was arrested near the scene and booked into Calcasieu Correction Center with bond set at $3,500. He faces multiple charges, including:
- Simple burglary
- Aggravated obstruction of a highway
- Criminal mischief
- Pedestrian on the interstate
- Two counts of negligent injuring
- Five counts of hit-and-run driving
Authorities are still investigating whether Vincent had an accomplice, urging anyone with information to contact Louisiana State Police detectives.
Community Impact
The bizarre series of events disrupted morning traffic and raised concerns about safety along interstate work zones. State police officials reminded drivers to remain vigilant, particularly near construction sites, and to report any suspicious activity immediately.
Witnessed something related to this unusual crash or have insights about highway safety in your area? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below.
