A chase and crash close the Westbank Expressway this afternoon for about an hour Thursday afternoon, and sent two people to the hospital.
"Just before 4:00 pm, JPSO deputies responded to the area of Manhattan Blvd. and the Westbank Expressway in reference to a license plate alert on a black Ford Explorer," said sheriff's office spokesman Jason Rivarde. "Deputies located the vehicle on Destrehan Avenue near the Westbank Expressway and attempted to stop the vehicle. The driver initially pulled over in the 1000 block of Destrehan Avenue, but then fled as deputies approached."
The pursuit then went on to the elevated Westbank Expressway.
"The driver rammed a JPSO vehicle multiple times during the pursuit, and again stopped at the top of the off-ramp on the elevated portion of the eastbound Westbank Expressway," Rivarde said. "As deputies approached, the suspect started driving against the flow of traffic in the eastbound lanes."
Deputies say the suspect crashed into a white Mercedes C350. The Mercedes' driver was taken to the hospital.
"The suspect was detained at the crash site and transported to a local hospital for treatment. Upon his release, he will be charged with multiple counts of aggravated flight, aggravated criminal damage, resisting an officer, multiple counts of battery on a police officer with injury, possession of stolen property, and multiple traffic offenses," said Rivarde.
The expressway reopened shortly before 6:00 p.m.