COVINGTON – A man is accused of trying to kill a police officer after he led law enforcement on a slow-moving chase and then rammed his vehicle head-on into a police SUV.
The Covington Police Department said the “slow-speed chase” began after officers spotted the suspect, 25-year-old Nestor Javier Sanchez-Martinez, speeding late Tuesday night.
Sanchez-Martinez refused to stop for police and instead continued at speeds “reaching 20 to 30 mph,” according to the department.
Police said Sanchez-Martinez then veered into oncoming traffic and slammed head-on into an officer’s vehicle. Both Sanchez-Martinez and the officer inside the police vehicle were taken to a hospital.
The officer was released after he was treated for minor injuries.
Sanchez-Martinez was released from the hospital and booked into the St. Tammany Parish Jail on several charges—including attempted first-degree murder of a peace officer—with additional charges pending.