Man arrested for hit and run was three times over legal limit

BATON ROUGE, LA (WAFB) - The Baton Rouge Police Department arrests a man who they say attempted to escape the scene of a head-on collision.

According to reports, Thomas Shepherd, 35, was heading Northbound in the 9200 block of Scenic Highway. Officials say that Shepherd crossed the center line, hitting a vehicle traveling Southbound. Shepherd then ran from the scene of the crash.

Shepherd was found walking in the parking lot of a housing complex on Rosenwald Road. Officers made contact with the suspect and noted the smell of alcohol on his breath and spilled alcohol on his clothes. Shepherd admitted that he drank three 16 ounce beers and half of a half pint bottle of gin.

Officers investigating the crash found an opened half pint bottle of gin on the driver's side floorboard of Shepherd's vehicle. Shepherd was taken to the police station on Plank Road where he failed a breathalyzer test with a 0.247% BAC, over three times the legal limit.

The other driver sustained a large laceration to his head and face. The driver was transported to the Our Lady of the Lake hospital for treatment.

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