Drivers on I-10 westbound near Vinton were stunned early Saturday morning when a construction crane, hijacked by 37-year-old Matthew Vincent, triggered multiple crashes and shut down the interstate.
According to Louisiana State Police, Vincent abandoned his stuck pickup truck in a nearby field, then unlawfully entered the crane and maneuvered its boom across the highway. At least four vehicles struck the cables, leading to two injuries, extensive property damage, and the interstate shutting down for hours.
How It Happened
Investigators say Vincent drove his Ram truck off LA Hwy 108 before getting it stuck. He then crossed I-10 on foot, climbed into the crane parked in a construction zone, and began manipulating its boom arm. Though no construction crews were working at the time, Vincent’s actions resulted in several collisions before police arrived. He was later tracked down when troopers found his abandoned truck and confirmed his key fob had been left inside the crane.
