Berwick man involved in fatal March crash arrested on DWI charge

A Berwick man, whose vehicle was struck by a motorcycle in a fatal March crash, was arrested Thursday after a test showed methamphetamine in his blood at the time of the accident, police said.

Morgan City police arrested a city man on three drug-possession charges, while parish deputies accused a Franklin 17-year-old of possessing a stolen gun.

Berwick

Police Chief David S. Leonard reported this arrest:

--Donald Eues, 59, Texas Street, Berwick, was arrested at 5:27 p.m. Thursday on a warrant alleging driving while intoxicated.

At 5:27 p.m. Thursday, officers made contact with Eues at his residence on Texas Street in reference to a warrant that was held for his arrest through Berwick Police Department.

Eues was advised of the active warrant and was placed under arrest without incident.

The warrant stems from a fatal crash that occurred in March in which Eues was identified as one of the drivers involved in the crash.

Berwick police answered the call at 9:56 p.m. March 20, when a Harley Davidson motorcyle struck the rear of a pickup driven by Eues on the La. 182 bridge.
The motorcycle rider, who police said had been seen driving recklessly before the crash, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Through the course of the crash investigation, Eues was suspected to be impaired on illegal narcotics. A blood sample was collected from Eues due to the
severity of the crash. The sample was sent to the Louisiana State Police Crime Lab for toxicology screening.

In May, the results of the blood kit returned showing that Eues had methamphetamine in his blood the night of the crash.

A warrant was issued for his arrest at that time. Eues posted a $2,500 bond

Morgan City

Interim Police Chief Mark Griffin Jr. reported that the Morgan City Police Department responded to 49 calls for service over the last 24-hour reporting period and made these arrests:

-- Jerel Gerard Watts, 29, Garber Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 9:25 p.m. Thursday on charges of possession of hydrocodone, possession of marijuana, possession of a legend drug (Sildenafil), possession of drug paraphernalia, no driver’s license and improper parking.

--Virginia Revonne Smith, 51, Roderick Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 10:05 p.m. Thursday on a charge of disturbing the peace.

St. Mary

Sheriff Blaise Smith reported that over the last 24-hour reporting period, the St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office responded to 31 complaints and made these arrests:

--Juvenile male, 17, Franklin, was arrested at 7:45 p.m. Thursday on a charge of possession of a stolen firearm.

The juvenile male was arrested and released into the custody of a parent pending juvenile court proceedings.

--Bianca Breale McDaniel, 30, Franklin, was arrested at 2:01 p.m. Thursday on a warrant alleging failure to appear on the charges of possession of marijuana and possess of drug paraphernalia.

McDaniel was released on a $2,500 bond.