Two men were arrested Saturday after a Washington Parish Sheriff’s Office deputy stopped two speeding vehicles on Louisiana Highway 10, according to WPSO Chief Deputy Mike Haley.

Haley said that WPSO Patrol Deputy Jay Dupre was patrolling on Highway 10 between Bogalusa and Franklinton on Saturday, when he clocked two separate vehicles traveling eastbound in excess of 90 mph.

Haley said that Dupre turned around on the vehicles and pursued them, noticing that the two vehicles would alternately pass each other.

As Dupre was in pursuit, Deputy Richard Serigne responded to the area to assist, Haley said. As Deputy Dupre caught up with the vehicle closest to him, the driver suddenly braked hard, reportedly causing a minor impact between the patrol vehicle and the fleeing vehicle. Haley said that Dupre passed the vehicle, leaving Serigne to handle the car and its occupants.

Dupre was unable to catch up with the other vehicle, which he was able to identify as a black Mazda sedan, Haley said. The sedan was reportedly able to elude the deputy somewhere east of Sunset Drive in Bogalusa.

Returning to the stopped vehicle, Dupre and Serigne discovered eight people inside the vehicle, Haley said.

The driver, identified as Tyler James Rester, 19, a resident of Highway 60 in Bogalusa, was arrested and transported to the Washington Parish Jail, charged with speeding 41 and more over the speed limit, aggravated flight from an officer and no driver’s license. His bond was set at $10,000. Haley said that Rester met the conditions of his bond and was released from jail the same date.

Haley said that the vehicle Rester was driving belonged to his grandfather, and Rester had taken the vehicle without permission. The grandfather responded to the scene and took custody of the vehicle.

An occupant of the vehicle, Gregory Lenard Brown, 19, a resident of North Davis Road in Bogalusa, was arrested for possession of marijuana and obstruction of justice, Haley said. He met the conditions of his $2,500 bond and was released from jail the day of his arrest.

Other occupants of the vehicle who were under the age of 18 were permitted to contact a parent or guardian, who then responded to the scene. The juveniles were released to their custody. Vehicle occupants above the age of 18 were allowed to leave the scene, Haley said.

“This could have resulted in a tragedy. I am so pleased that Deputy Dupre was able to intercept this speeding vehicle,” Washington Parish Sheriff Randy Seal said.

“Two cars passing each other back and forth at very high speeds on a public highway are a recipe for disaster. I am so grateful no one was hurt. Thank you, Deputy Dupre and Deputy Serigne for a job well done.”