(Updated) Sheriff: Escaped work release inmate caught in Amelia after chase

An escaped West Baton Rouge Parish work release inmate was captured Wednesday in Amelia after fleeing from authorities in a vehicle, striking another motorist and eventually driving into a ditch, St. Mary Parish Sheriff Scott Anslum said in a news release.

Jeremy Blackburn, 39, of Baton Rouge, was arrested at 11:33 a.m. Wednesday on charges of aggravated flight from an officer, aggravated obstruction of a roadway, criminal damage to property, no driver’s license and on a West Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Office warrant charging him with simple escape.

Deputies received a be-on-the-lookout notification for Blackburn, an escaped West Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Office work release inmate, Anslum said. Deputies located the vehicle Blackburn was suspected of traveling in, identified the driver as Blackburn, and initiated a stop.

Blackburn failed to pull over and accelerated to a high rate of speed striking another motorist on the roadway and a mailbox before losing control of the vehicle and driving into a ditch on Duhon By Pass Road, Anslum said. Deputies apprehended Blackburn and transported him to the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center for booking. No bail was set. No major injuries were reported.