Harlan Kirgan
A Eunice man faces multiple charges including hit and run, and driving under the influence after a man was struck and critically injured on South East Street on Friday, Eunice Police Chief Randy Fontenot.
The driver is identified as Derrick Lynn Mott, 28, of the 2300 block of Aymond Street, Eunice.
Mott is charged with hit and run, driving under the influence first offense, first-degree vehicular injury and unlawful refusal to submit to chemical test, according to police records.
Injured in the incident was Zechariah Hose Freeman, 20, if Eunice, Fontenot said. Freeman was flown to a Lafayette hospital, he said.
The incident happened about 2 p.m. Friday, he said
When the officer arrived at the scene Freeman was lying on the shoulder of the road, he said. Freeman was breathing, but was no responsive, he said.
While the officer was on the scene the driver of the suspect vehicle, a 2017 Ford F-250 pickup truck, returned to the scene, he said.
The pickup truck was traveling north on South East Street when the incident occurred, he said.
The truck, which Fontenot said had been purchased Thursday, was damaged to front hood and bumper, he said.
Freeman was thrown by the truck, he said.
Police obtained a video from a nearby business, which indicated the pickup truck was traveling at a high rate of speed Fontenot siad.
The driver told police left the scene to return a rental vehicle, he said.
A standard filed sobriety test was done and suggested Mott was impaired, he said.
Mott refused to take a breath test, so warrant was obtained to draw his blood, Fontenot said.
As of Monday morning, Mott was jail and faced a court appearance in Opelousas.