Police and fire briefs for May 8, 2012
Police make arrest in death of pedestrian
Police arrested a motorist accused of striking and killing a pedestrian early Sunday in the 4200 block of Mohican-Prescott Crossover, police spokesman Cpl. Thomas Stubbs said.
Larry Pate, 29, 2937 Pluskat Drive, is accused of hitting Raven Nicole Wright Southerland, 31, 4855 Raney Drive, while traveling east on Mohican-Prescott in a green Nissan Altima, Stubbs said.
The crash occurred when Southerland exited the passenger side of a vehicle she was in after arguing with her boyfriend, Stubbs said. Southerland then walked in front of her boyfriend’s car and into the next lane of traffic, where she was struck by Pate, who did not stop, Stubbs said.
Pate was located the next day and was booked into Parish Prison on one count each of felony hit-and-run and no driver’s license.
Arson believed to be connected to arrest
Just hours after an 18-year-old Baton Rouge man was arrested in the killing of a 25-year-old man, someone intentionally set fire to his house, authorities said.
Erin Gross, 18, was booked into Parish Prison on counts of second-degree murder and illegal use of a weapon about 6:30 p.m. on Friday, booking records show.
About 4:45 a.m. on Saturday, Gross’ home at 1420 Cardinal St. was on fire, according to a Fire Department news release. The arsonist poured a flammable liquid on and around the house before igniting it and fleeing the scene, the release says.
Firefighters gained control of the fire by 4:54 a.m., the release says.
Of the eight people who live in the home, two were present at the time of the fire, the release says.
Police said Gross shot Christopher King, 25, 1538 Snipe St., multiple times while King drove in the 1300 block of Oriole Street about 4:20 a.m. on Wednesday, causing King to crash into a house. King died from his wounds on Friday.
The fire caused $16,000 worth of damage, the release says.
Police book two on suspicion of DWI
Authorities arrested at least two people suspected of driving while intoxicated in East Baton Rouge Parish and booked them into Parish Prison between 2:30 p.m. Sunday and 2:30 p.m. Monday, booking records show.
Those booked and the counts against them:
- Benjamin Lithgoe, 31, 1027 Bull Rush, third-offense DWI, possession of alcoholic beverage in a vehicle and reckless operation of a vehicle.
- Sergio Lopez, 25, 5750 Florida Blvd., second-offense DWI, failure to maintain control, operating vehicle without lawful presence in U.S. and driver’s license required.
Compiled from staff reports. To talk to a crime reporter at The Advocate, call (225)388-0369.