Man killed by troopers was hauling suspected cocaine

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — A Louisiana state trooper shot and killed a man who was reportedly transporting drugs after what started as a high-speed chase on Interstate 10.

State police said the pursuit began near the Iberville-West Baton Rouge parish line around 10 p.m. on Thursday. A trooper tried to pull over a motorist for an undisclosed traffic violation. But he sped away, hitting several other cars in the process, state police said.

The trooper later found the vehicle wrecked on the interstate in neighboring East Baton Rouge Parish. The man, identified Friday as Jose Reza-Navarro, 52, of Spring, Texas, tried to run from the crash scene but was confronted by police. It remains unclear what prompted the shooting.

“Reza-Navarro was observed leaving the scene on foot. For reasons still under investigation, a Trooper discharged his firearm shortly after coming into contact with Reza-Navarro,” state police said in a statement. “Despite contacting EMS and rendering aid, Reza-Navarro succumbed to his injuries at the scene.”

Reza-Navarro was hauling 182 pounds (83 kilograms) of drugs believed to be cocaine inside a suitcase in his vehicle, state police investigators said. That much cocaine has a street value of $2.5 million, authorities said.

The trooper was not hurt and has been placed on administrative leave while the investigation continues.