BREAUX BRIDGE, La. (KLFY) — A Baton Rouge man was arrested for staging a crash on I-10 near Breaux Bridge in June, officials said.

In June, investigators with the Louisiana State Police Insurance Fraud and Auto Theft Unit (IFAT) launched an investigation into a suspected staged crash that resulted in the arrest of William Baker, 34, of Baton Rouge, officials said.

On Tuesday IFAT investigators arrested and processed Baker into the St. Martin Parish Correctional Center for staging of a motor vehicle crash and filing or maintaining false public records. 

The investigation began after officials responded to a crash on I-10 West on the Atchafalaya Basin Bridge near the intersection with LA. 3177 on the morning of June 24, officials said.

According to officials, the crash involved a passenger vehicle driven by Baker and a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) transporting liquid nitrogen gas.

During the investigation, officials determined that Baker allegedly passed the CMV in the right lane of I-10, then intentionally straddled the center line and abruptly applied his brakes, despite no vehicles being in front of him. This maneuver caused the CMV to strike the rear of Baker’s vehicle. Although the 18-wheeler’s driver provided dash camera footage that supported the Troopers’ findings, Baker submitted a false written statement that contradicted the recorded evidence, officials said.

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