Montgomery crash takes 1 life
LSP A single vehicle crash Monday, Oct. 8 killed a man from Montgomery and seriously injured another. Both men were unrestrained and were ejected during the crash. Troopers responded to the crash around 1:10 p.m. on US Hwy 71, north of Montgomery. The crash involved a 1999 Jeep. The Jeep was northbound on US Hwy 71 when it exited the right side of the roadway. After exiting the roadway, the vehicle entered a ditch and collided with a driveway. This action resulted in the vehicle becoming airborne and overturning. There were two occupants in the vehicle at the time of the crash. They are identified as Jacob McManus, w/m, 21, of Montgomery and Kevin Barnes, w/m, 34, of Montgomery. McManus received serious injuries and was transported to Rapides Regional Trauma Center for treatment. Barnes was pronounced dead. It is unknown at this time who was driving the vehicle. Routine toxicology tests are pending. The crash remains under investigation. In 2018, Troop E has investigated 36 fatal crashes resulting in 39 deaths.
Truck thieves flee from officers
NPD Shortly after 11 p.m. Oct. 5, the Natchitoches Police Department received a call from Kendrick Aaron stating his son’s truck had been stolen. At 1:53 a.m. officers located the truck on Airport Road. The vehicle, occupied by two males, refused to stop for officers initiating a brief pursuit that ended in the 200 Block of Rowena Street. Both suspects evaded pursuing officers, however, the vehicle was recovered and returned to the owner. If anyone has and additional information about this case, contact the Natchitoches Police Department at (318) 352-8101. All calls shall be kept confidential.
‘Extra’ asphalt scam leads to extra costs
RRPSO In January, William Boswell, owner/operator of Roadway Construction “Tar & Chip”, of Texarkana, Ark. stopped at a local citizen’s home to solicit business. Boswell had his work crew and equipment staged in the area. The sales pitch involves an explanation that they had just completed a big job and had material left over. According to the homeowner, Boswell offered to chip seal his driveway for an agreed upon price. After his offer was accepted, Boswell completed the job and submitted an invoice for payment which was more than six times the agreed upon price. The elderly victim paid the invoice by check and it was subsequently cashed at a local bank.
A family member became aware of the incident and contacted Boswell in an attempt to recover a portion of the money, while also filing a report with the Red River Parish Sheriff’s Office (RRPSO). Boswell returned a portion of the funds to the victim. Following an investigation by RRPSO detectives, a warrant for Boswell’s arrest was secured in February. On Oct. 3, William Boswell, w/m, 39, of the 3500 block of Hastings Road, Texarkana, turned himself in to authorities at the RRPSO. He was booked into the Red River Parish Jail without incident and charged with one count of Theft of Assets of an Aged or Disabled Person. Boswell obtained legal counsel and was released on the same date on his own recognizance pending a trial date. Sheriff Edwards reminds residents to be cautious when dealing with “traveling contractors” that approach unannounced and/or with unsolicited calls. Persons contacting residents in this manner are hoping that the potential customer will make an impulse decision which opens the door for abuse. Before contracting for any service and/or product, consumers should always do diligent research about the specific vendor, as well as comparison shopping.