From Youngsville City Police Department
On the morning of January 7, 2023 Officers with the Youngsville Police Department responded to a suspicious circumstances report in the 2400 block of E. Milton Avenue. Upon arriving on scene Officers discovered a white male subject, with no signs of life laying in the ditch. It appeared that the subject was the victim of a vehicle hit and run.
Through the preliminary investigation it was determined that the victim, identified as Dustin Joseph Johnson, a white male, 41 years of age, was struck by an unknown vehicle thrown into the ditch facedown with his face partially submerged.
During the course of the investigation, evidence found on scene, allowed officers to determine a possible suspect vehicle. The vehicle was located at the registered owner’s residence and a suspect driver, and an additional occupant were located.
During the interview process the driver, identified as Benjamin Mathew Decuir, a white male, 39 years of age, admitted to operating the vehicle, but stated he struck an unknown object on the roadway, stopped looked around and after not seeing anything, drove away. The suspect states that he attempted to locate debris but was unable to locate anything and then left the scene without reporting the accident even with the vehicle obtaining significant damages.
With the evidence found on scene, the damages found on the vehicle and the suspect’s admission of operating the vehicle, he was placed under arrest for Felony Hit and Run, he was then transported to the Lafayette Parish Correctional Center and booked on the above charge.
