BATON ROUGE, La. (BRPROUD) – Louisiana State Police identified the man killed in a trooper-involved shooting Thursday night on I-10 as a Texas man.
The vehicle’s driver, identified as 52-year-old Jose Reza-Navarro of Spring, Texas, allegedly fled on I-10 after a traffic stop made by a trooper at 10:02 p.m. Reza-Navarro allegedly led authorities on a high-speed chase, causing multiple hit-and-run crashes.
Troopers ended the chase after it posed a high danger to the public due to the driver’s high speeds.
The suspect was then seen leaving on foot after crashing into another vehicle on I-10 near I-110. State Police said for reasons remaining under investigation, a trooper fired his gun at the suspect. Reza-Navarro died at the scene from his injuries.
After getting a search warrant, troopers found 182 pounds of suspected cocaine hidden in a suitcase in Reza-Navarro’s vehicle — valued at an estimated $2.5 million, according to LSP.
The trooper who fired his weapon was placed on administrative leave.
An investigation is ongoing.
