HANCOCK COUNTY
Slidell woman who was allegedly high on meth is accused of causing three accidents on Christmas Eve along a dimly-lit stretch of U.S. 90 in St. Tammany Parish and then into Hancock County, officials said Monday.
According to West Hancock Fire Chief Kim Jones, the West Hancock Fire Department worked all three accidents and a total of five people were taken to the hospital.
The driver who allegedly caused the accidents, Adorise Michelle Mayard, 47, was cited for hit-and-run, DUI, and possession of crystal meth, authorities said.
Jones said the first accident was reported about 7 p.m. on Dec. 24, near the U.S. 90 and 190 junction.
The vehicle being driven by Mayard apparently ran a truck off the road, Jones said. Nobody was injured in that crash, Jones said.
West Hancock has a mutual-aid agreement with St. Tammany and responded to the call, Jones said.
A short time later, Mayard’s 1997 Ford Ranger collided with a 2006 Nissan on the state-line bridge.
“She obliterated that car,” Jones said.
Sgt. Emery Tumulty of the Louisiana State Police said one person was taken to the hospital with minor injuries in the accident.
“After the accident, she fled into Mississippi,” Tumulty said.
Mayard then rear-ended a third vehicle about a half-mile down the road at the entrance to the Oak Harbor subdivision, Jones said.
Mayard’s vehicle landed in a ditch and law enforcement and fire personnel arrived a short time later, Jones said. Three people were taken to the hospital in that accident, Jones said.
Most of the injuries were minor, however, he said.
Mayard was arrested and taken to the Hancock County Jail for suspicion of DUI.
When she arrived at the jail, jail deputies discovered a syringe loaded with crystal meth in Mayard’s possession.
Mayard was charged with driving under the influence of a controlled substance and possession of a controlled substance.
Her bond was set at $27,000. She was also cited for hit-and-run by Louisiana authorities.
