(Natchitoches)-Charges have been upgraded on a Fairview Alpha man in connection with a hit & run crash involving a pedestrian on US-71 in Campti on Friday afternoon according to Natchitoches Parish Sheriff Stuart Wright.

The victim remains in a regional trauma center.

On Friday afternoon, February 2, 2024 at approximately 3:18pm, Deputies assigned to the NPSO Patrol Operations Bureau, Campti Police and Natchitoches Regional Medical Center EMS responded to NATCOM 911 Center reports of a hit & run crash involving a pedestrian on US-71 near the Campti Bayou Road in Campti, La.

Deputies arrived on scene finding a male on the shoulder of the road suffering from what appeared to be life-threatening injuries.

The victim, identified as a 27-year-old Natchitoches man was transported from the scene by EMS to Natchitoches Regional Airport and airlifted to a regional trauma center with serious life-threatening injuries.

Deputies notified next-of-kin but withheld the victim’s name for the privacy of family members.

Detectives assigned to the NPSO Criminal Investigations Bureau and High Tech Crime Unit responded to the scene.

Detectives said in the early stages of the investigation, they learned through sources and witnesses, that what appeared to be a dark blue or black Chevrolet HHR was traveling southbound on US-71 within the city limits of Campti when the vehicle veered onto the southbound shoulder striking the pedestrian.
The vehicle then fled the scene traveling southbound on US-71. Some reports say the vehicle may have turned and traveled northbound following the crash.

Deputies believed the vehicle sustained damages to the right roof area, windshield and possibly the hood and front end area.

At 6:00pm, detectives were still processing the crime scene, which included taking photographs and measurements. Detectives were also searching for any evidence at the scene that may assist them in the investigation.

Other deputies combed the Campti area searching for the vehicle.

On Friday evening, Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Deputies issued a social media post with the image of the suspect vehicle and utilized media outlets, Crime Stoppers of Natchitoches and law enforcement bulletins to request the public’s assistance.

Throughout the night, NATCOM 911 Center and detectives began receiving tips on a person of interest based on our social media post, media outlet broadcasts and other sources.

Detectives decided not to release the suspect’s name at that point due to the sensitivity of the investigation.

On Saturday morning, February 3, 2024, shortly after 5:00am, Deputies assigned to the NPSO Patrol Operations Bureau stopped a dark colored Chevrolet HHR on La. Hwy 480 north of the International Paper-Red River Mill in the Fairview Alpha area.

Deputies say the vehicle had damage consistent with information learned through law enforcement sources and witnesses on Friday afternoon.

The operator of the vehicle, identified as 21-year-old Cole D. Jones, of Fairview Alpha, La., was arrested and booked into the Natchitoches Parish Detention Center charged with DWI.

Deputies also obtained a search warrant signed by a 10th Judicial District Court Judge to collect DWI evidence.

The vehicle was seized as evidence and stored at a secured undisclosed location.

Detectives continued the investigation releasing only limited information to the public while they interviewed potential witnesses, gathered facts and other evidence.

On Monday morning, February 5, 2024, detectives interviewed Jones at the NPSO High Tech Criminal Investigations Bureau where he allegedly confessed to the hit & run, then fled to the Alexandria area, then returned during the early morning hours and was stopped by NPSO Deputies on La. Hwy 480.

As a result of the investigation and in addition to his original charge of DWI, Cole D. Jones was returned to the Natchitoches Parish Detention Center, booked and charged with:
*Hit & Run
*First Degree Vehicular Negligent injury.

Jones remains in the Natchitoches Parish Detention Center.

Sheriff Wright thanks the public for their tips, media outlets, and Crime Stoppers of Natchitoches for their assistance during this investigation. The patrol bureau, public information office and detectives worked tirelessly throughout this investigation to make an arrest in this case which is believed to have been caused by the negligence of an impaired driver.

We extend our prayers to the victim’s family and hope for a full recovery.

If you have any information, contact Detective Michael Giannone, Case Agent, at 318-521-0194 with the Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office