Louisiana Man Allegedly Hijacked a Construction Crane on a Highway, Causing Multiple Car Crashes
Context:
A 37-year-old man named Matthew Vincent from Vinton, Louisiana, was arrested for hijacking a construction crane on Interstate-10, causing multiple car crashes and significant traffic disruption. Vincent abandoned his truck and unlawfully entered the crane, manipulating its boom over the highway, which resulted in the crane striking a passing vehicle and triggering further accidents. These incidents led to two injuries and substantial damage to both the crane and surrounding property, necessitating a prolonged closure of the interstate. Vincent faces various charges, including simple burglary, aggravated obstruction, and multiple counts of hit-and-run driving. The Louisiana State Police are continuing their investigation, looking into the possibility of an accomplice, and have set Vincent's bond at $3,500 as he remains in custody at the Calcasieu Correctional Center.
Dive Deeper:
Matthew Vincent, a 37-year-old from Vinton, Louisiana, was arrested for hijacking a construction crane on Interstate-10, causing four car crashes and two injuries. The incident disrupted traffic significantly and resulted in major damage to the crane and surrounding property.
After abandoning his truck, Vincent crossed the highway and unlawfully entered the crane inside a work zone, where he manipulated its boom over the westbound lanes, obstructing traffic and leading to a series of accidents.
The Louisiana State Police responded to reports of vehicles striking the crane around 5:30 a.m. and found that construction work was not in progress at the time, indicating the crane was not operated by a worker.
During their investigation, detectives discovered a key fob for Vincent's Dodge Ram inside the crane and located his truck stuck in a field south of the highway, which he had allegedly driven off-road before abandoning it.
Vincent is charged with simple burglary, aggravated obstruction of a highway, criminal mischief, pedestrian on the interstate, two counts of negligent injuring, and five counts of hit-and-run driving. He is held at Calcasieu Correctional Center with a bond set at $3,500.
The Louisiana State Police are investigating the possibility of an accomplice and are asking anyone who observed suspicious activity in the area before the incident to contact their detectives.
The interstate has since been reopened, and it remains unclear if Vincent has legal representation to speak on his behalf.