COVINGTON, La. – Authorities say a drunk driver crashed into an off-duty deputy's vehicle before a brief chase and officer-involved shooting on the Northshore Wednesday.
According to the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office, the initial crash happened around 2:30 p.m. near the intersection of Penn Mill Road and U.S. Highway 190. Investigators say 32-year-old Christopher Townsend crashed into an off-duty deputy’s pickup before fleeing the scene westbound on US 190.
Deputies say the Townsend continued to drive erratically and turned into a neighborhood off La. Highway 1077. As Townsend tried to make a U-turn, the deputy got out of his truck and ordered him to stop.
The sheriff’s office says Townsend instead accelerated his vehicle to where the deputy was standing in an apparent attempt to run him over. STPSO said the deputy shot at Townsend’s vehicle and avoided being struck.
Officers from the Covington Police Department arrested Townsend a short time later after his car was disabled southbound on LA 1077.
Deputies say Townsend failed a field sobriety test at the scene. Blood was drawn and was sent to a crime lab for analysis.
Townsend was booked into the St. Tammany Parish Jail on charges of hit and run, aggravated assault with a motor vehicle upon a peace officer, DWI and driving without a license.
Authorities say Townsend has an extensive criminal history in Texas. He has previous arrests for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, theft, burglary, assault of a family member, evading arrest, failure to identify, driving while intoxicated, driving under suspension and various drug charges.
