A 38-year-old man was arrested on February 21 after leading officers on a high-speed pursuit through Minden, including through multiple red lights and near a crowded festival area, according to a Minden Police Department report.
Police said Joshua Adam Porter was traveling on Shreveport Road in front of another vehicle that contained a passenger in need of medical care. Both vehicles were reported traveling in excess of 80 mph in a posted 45 mph zone.
An officer attempted to stop the lead vehicle, but Porter allegedly blocked the patrol unit from doing so. Authorities said the officer had emergency lights and siren activated, which Porter ignored and refused to yield to.
According to the report, Porter then drove through three separate red traffic signals without slowing and continued at a high rate of speed through the Broadway Street area, where the MLK / Black History parade was gathering and numerous pedestrians were present. The posted speed limit in that area is 25 mph.
Two additional police units joined the pursuit with lights and sirens activated. Porter eventually stopped at Minden Medical Center, where he was taken into custody and transported to the Minden Police Department for booking.
Porter was charged with aggravated flight from an officer, aggravated obstruction of a highway, careless operation, and three counts of failure to obey traffic control signals.
All subjects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.