According to Sheriff John Ballance, on June 18, 2022 at approximately 11:40 PM, while on patrol on US 371, Deputy Clay Culpepper clocked a white GMC Yukon at a speed of 70 in a 55 mph zone. Dy. Culpepper activated his overhead blue lights.  The vehicle driven by Cedrick Loud turned onto a parish road north of Ringgold and proceeded southbound on Blount Road into the city limits of Ringgold.

At Blount and Tucker the vehicle left the roadway and made several circles in a vacant lot. The vehicle then traveled back onto Tucker Street and turned onto Bobo Street which is a dead end. The driver Loud stopped the vehicle, exited and fled on foot into the woods.

After backup arrived Loud was found to be unresponsive approximately 100 feet into the woods. CPR measures were begun immediately until the arrival of Ward 4&5 ambulance personnel who continued CPR for approximately 30 minutes.

A medical doctor from Minden Medical Center decided to end the resuscitative efforts at approximately 12:12 AM.

A female passenger in the vehicle Loud was driving was transported to ER in Coushatta for possible back and neck injuries she claimed were caused by the off-road incident during the pursuit.

Bienville Parish Coroner Don Smith observed no signs of injuries to Loud’s body but ordered an autopsy to determine cause of death.

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