PORT ALLEN, La. — March 17, 2026

A passenger in an SUV grabbed the steering wheel and forced the vehicle into a marked police unit on Interstate 10 eastbound near the Louisiana 1 exit in Port Allen just before 11 a.m. Tuesday, injuring an officer and triggering a swift arrest by West Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff's Office deputies, according to a press release from the agency.

Sheriff Jeff Bergeron identified the suspect as John Cuevas, 42, of Madison, Mississippi. Cuevas was a front-seat passenger in a 2023 Land Rover SUV when he seized the wheel and steered the vehicle directly into a Duson Police Department unit as both vehicles traveled eastbound, according to investigators.

The Duson officer was transported to a local hospital with moderate injuries.

Deputies determined the act was intentional and took Cuevas into custody at the scene. He was booked into the West Baton Rouge Parish Detention Center on three charges:

• Attempted First Degree Murder of a Police Officer
• Aggravated Criminal Damage to Property
• Aggravated Obstruction of a Highway of Commerce

Duson Police Chief Kip Judice confirmed that Cuevas had previously been arrested by his department, though no additional details were provided regarding that prior contact.

WBRSO Public Information Officer Sgt. Landon Groger issued the release Tuesday evening.

WBR Independent will update this story as additional information becomes available.