37-year-old drug defendant crashes at St. Claude and Poland
A 37-year-old drug defendant from Chalmette is facing additional charges after fleeing a courtroom in St. Bernard Parish and leading deputies on a high-speed chase that ended with a fiery crash on St. Claude Avenue at Poland Avenue
Cyprian Robertson, an alleged third-time drug offender, reportedly said afterwards that he bolted because "I couldn't go back to jail."
He reportedly had offered him a plea deal under which he would serve 7 years on narcotics possession charges.
After fleeing the courtroom, Robertson led officers on a chase across the Industrial Canal Bridge. The pursuit ended when Robertson struck a stopped car at Poland Avenue. Robertson's vehicle burst into flames and he tried to run but he suffered a broken leg in the crash.
After he is released from a hospital, he'll be charged with a number of traffic violations and aggravated flight from officers.
Photo: Steve Cannizaro/FOX 8
