Acadiana Police and Fire Briefs for Oct. 12, 2012

Driver dies in crash during police chase

MORGAN CITY — The St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office asked the State Police to conduct an investigation into a fatal crash that occurred Wednesday while deputies were pursuing a car during a narcotics investigation, a State Police spokesman said Thursday.

The crash occurred about 4:15 p.m. on Railroad Avenue in Morgan City when a 1995 Mercedes Benz driven by Irvian Singleton, 44, of Morgan City, struck a 2009 Nissan Altima driven by Ronshawna Ruffin, 27, of Vinton, Trooper Stephen Hammons said in a news release.

Singleton was being chased by deputies when Ruffin turned onto Railroad Avenue and into the path of Singleton’s car, which then flipped, Hammons said.

Singleton, who was unrestrained, was pronounced dead by the St. Mary Parish Coroner, Hammons said.

Ruffin was treated at a hospital for moderate injuries, Hammons said, adding that troopers are trying to determine if she was wearing a seat belt.

Police car involved
in fatal collision

MAURICE — Two people were injured and one person died Thursday after a Maurice police officer struck a car while in pursuit of a reckless driver on U.S. 167, a State Police spokesman said.

The crash occurred at 12:15 p.m. while the officer was traveling north on U.S. 167 with his lights and sirens on, Hammons said. The officer was responding to a report of a reckless driver, he said.

A Mercury Grand Marquis pulled into the path of the officer’s marked Dodge Charger and was struck broadside, Hammons said.

The driver of the Grand Marquis, whose name is being withheld pending notification of next of kin, died from injuries suffered during the crash, Hammons said.

A passenger in the Marquis and the officer, whose identity was not released Thursday afternoon, were both taken to hospitals with minor injuries, Hammons said.

Compiled by the Acadiana bureau