Two people were killed when the car in which they were riding crashed as it was being pursued by a Patterson Louisiana Police unit. The incident happened in the early morning hours of Sunday, August 23rd.

 According to State Police, the incident began when a Patterson Police Department patrol unit attempted to make a routine traffic stop. But the driver of the suspect vehicle refused the officer's orders and took off at a high rate of speed. It is estimated that the suspect vehicle reached a speed in excess of 100 mph before its driver lost control.

State Police say that Joseph B. James, 39 of Franklin Louisiana was the driver of the car. He is currently listed in critical condition following the crash. Two of James' passengers, 46-year-old Warren Joe Hines and 17-year-old Markqel James were killed when the vehicle crashed into a tree after leaving the roadway. They were pronounced dead at the scene. Neither man, according to State Police, was properly restrained.

It is not clear at this time of Joseph B. James and Markqel James are related. State Police are continuing their investigation into the crash charges are pending.

 

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