Submitted by the Lafayette Police Department
Update
LAFAYETTE, LA (December 15, 2024, 11:13 a.m.) – On December 15, 2024, at 6:24 p.m., officers responded to a mental health facility on Youngsville Highway in reference to a patient who fled on foot. The subject, identified as Marion Baker, was brought to the facility in a transport van and, when met by staff outside, fled the location. Mr. Baker located a Lafayette Parish School bus at an unknown location and drove the bus to West Pinhook Rd and Kaliste Saloom Road, where the vehicle crashes occurred.
After the crash, Baker stole a truck belonging to a bystander who stopped to assist. He fled in the truck on Kaliste Saloom Road towards Ambassador Caffery Parkway and was later located in Rayne.
Update
LAFAYETTE, LA (December 15, 2024, 9:08 a.m.) – In regards to the major vehicle crash that occurred on December 15, 2024 at 6:41 pm, the suspect, Marion Baker, was apprehended and booked into Lafayette Parish Correctional Center. Marion Baker was charged with various traffic violations, reckless operation of a vehicle, hit and run driving, theft of a motor vehicle, and theft.
Original
LAFAYETTE, LA (December 15, 2024) – On Sunday evening, around 6:41 p.m., Lafayette Police Department officers responded to a serious vehicle crash on the 1900 block of West Pinhook Road. The incident involved a stolen bus that had been taken earlier by a suspect being transported to a mental health facility.
The suspect, later identified as 26-year-old Marion Baker of Opelousas, Louisiana, elected not to enter the facility and instead stole an unoccupied school bus. He then drove recklessly into oncoming traffic, causing a multi-vehicle collision involving four vehicles. Several individuals sustained moderate injuries as a result of the crash.
After the crash, Baker fled the scene and stole a truck from a bystander who had stopped to assist. Law enforcement tracked the stolen truck to the Rayne area, where Baker was apprehended. He is facing multiple charges related to the series of incidents.
As more details emerge, an update will be provided.
