Lake Charles, La. (CPSO) – On March 27, 2019, at approximately 1:30 p.m., Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office deputies were dispatched to the area near Koonce Road and St. Luke Lane in Sulphur due to a one vehicle accident involving a truck that had hit a utility pole and was stuck in the ditch. 

Upon arrival police observed the truck leaving the scene. They attempted to stop the truck, at which time the suspect fled and a pursuit ensued. During the pursuit the truck made several unsafe lane changes causing other vehicles to move off the roadway, ran a stop sign, and traveled at a high rate of speed. The suspect eventually stopped the vehicle in the middle of the roadway in the 500 block of East Houston River Road and fled on foot into a wooded area. 

A short time later deputies located the driver, Joseph C. Semien, 26, of Burton St., Sulphur, La., exiting the woods.

After further investigation it was learned Semien, who has a suspended driver’s license, was driving a truck that was reported stolen from Arlington, Texas. Deputies also discovered he had a 14 year old passenger in the truck, who was left at the scene of the crash and was picked up by a parent. A continued search of the truck lead deputies to locate a large amount of suspected marijuana.

Semien was arrested and booked into the Calcasieu Correctional Center.

Charged with: hit and run, flight from an officer, illegal possession of stolen things, possession of marijuana 14 grams or more, illegal use of a CDS in the presence of a person under 17, resisting an officer by flight, and operating a vehicle with a suspended license. 

Semien also had two active warrants for contempt of court for possession of CDS II, simple burglary, and theft between $750 and $5,000. 

Bond is still pending.