Man arrested after allegedly striking woman with vehicle on Louisiana highway

LEESVILLE, La. (WNTZ) — A man was arrested after allegedly pursuing and striking a woman with his vehicle on Louisiana Highway 28, the Vernon Parish Sheriff’s Office said.

Authorities received multiple calls around 3:30 p.m. Tuesday regarding a possible domestic disturbance in the median of the highway, east of Leesville. Callers reported that a female had been chased and struck by a vehicle, providing deputies with a description of the suspect’s car.

Deputies canvassed the area but were unable to immediately locate the vehicle or the victim. Witnesses said the vehicle, along with a male driver and female passenger, had fled west toward Leesville.

A short time later, officers from the Leesville Police Department found the suspect’s vehicle at a fast food restaurant. The driver, identified as Dalton Jaquillard, 31, of Alexandria, was detained at the scene.

Deputies spoke with the female passenger, who confirmed she had been struck by the vehicle but denied the incident was related to a domestic dispute. She instead attributed it to a medical condition that allegedly causes Jaquillard to experience periodic vision loss.

While she acknowledged an arm injury from being struck, she insisted it was not intentional.

Witnesses provided a different account. Several bystanders reported seeing the woman exit the vehicle while screaming and gesturing at Jaquillard, who was behind the wheel. As she ran into the highway median, witnesses said Jaquillard reversed, made a U-turn, and accelerated toward her before striking her.

Both Jaquillard and the woman were released at the scene while deputies gathered statements from witnesses.

Following further investigation, authorities obtained warrants for Jaquillard’s arrest. He was taken into custody later that evening by the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office at a residence in Starks.

On Wednesday, Jaquillard was transported to Vernon Parish and booked into the Vernon Parish Sheriff’s Office jail on one count of domestic abuse battery and one count of domestic abuse aggravated assault.

Bond has not been set pending a Gwen’s Law hearing. Jaquillard remains in custody.

NOTE: “All persons suspected are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.”