Louisiana Man Allegedly Hijacked a Construction Crane on a Highway, Causing Multiple Car Crashes

A Louisiana man has been arrested after police said he took control of a construction crane, blocked traffic on the highway, and caused four separate car crashes that left two people hurt.

The suspect, Matthew Vincent, 37, from Vinton, Louisiana, was arrested by the Louisiana State Police (LSP) on Saturday, Aug. 16. He faces several charges, including one count of simple burglary, aggravated obstruction of a highway, criminal mischief, and being a pedestrian on the interstate. He also faces two counts of negligent injuring and five counts of hit-and-run driving, according to a police news release.

The case began when LSP responded to calls about “vehicles striking a construction crane in a work zone” on Interstate 10 at around 5:30 a.m. Police said their investigation showed the crane had been moved into the median, with cables hanging across the westbound lanes. These cables struck one vehicle, leading to three more crashes.

Officers later confirmed that no construction was happening at the time and that the crane was not being used by workers.

Detectives with the Louisiana State Police Bureau of Investigations found a key fob for a Dodge Ram truck inside the crane. Troopers later discovered the truck abandoned in a field near the highway.

Police said Vincent owned the truck and had driven it off-road into a field, where it got stuck. He then left the truck, crossed the highway, and entered the crane. According to LSP, he “manipulated the crane boom over the westbound lanes of I-10, obstructing traffic and causing the crashes.”

The crashes resulted in two reported injuries, heavy damage to the crane, significant property damage, and a long closure of the interstate.

Police are still investigating the incident and said they are looking into whether Vincent may have had an accomplice. “Anyone who may have been in the area prior to this incident and observed suspicious activity is urged to contact Louisiana State Police detectives,” the agency said.

The interstate has since reopened, according to NOLA.com.