Desoto Parish, LA (3/30/2023) – The Desoto Parish Sheriff’s Office (DPSO) released an update to the public regarding a viral video recorded in DeSoto Parish depicting two semi-truck drivers on I-49.
At approximately 8 am on Wednesday, March 29th, it was brought to our attention that a video had gone viral on Facebook showing two semi-truck drivers involved in what appeared to be a road-rage incident. The video in question had been uploaded on Tuesday, March 28, 2023.
DPSO immediately contacted dispatch and determined that no calls had been received regarding this incident the prior evening. By 9:30 am on Wednesday investigators had identified both drivers and made one arrest.
Omar Berrios Martinez, 44, was arrested and charged with Reckless Operation with No Accident and Aggravated Obstruction of a Highway (Felony). Martinez was transported to the DeSoto Detention Center and booked, and his semi-truck was towed.
Contact was made with the driver of the other semi-truck from the video. At the time of the new release, the second driver was being cooperative with law enforcement and headed back to DeSoto Parish to turn himself in. Matters as to why the incident took place remain under investigation.
According to DPSO, the video greatly assisted in the identification of the two drivers. DPSO also thanked the many residents online who have shown support and faith in our ability to identify, locate, and make an arrest on these individuals.
DPSO reminds the public that their social media is monitored by one person and is not usually monitored after normal office hours or on weekends. Facebook and Messenger should never be used as middle-man to inform Sheriff’s office or to report a crime. To report a crime, you should always call the office to speak with a dispatcher or dial 911 in the event of an emergency.
DPSO said Facebook is a third-party application that does not consistently nor efficiently notify us when we receive a new message, tag, comment, etc. When time is of the essence in saving lives, we cannot rely on or depend on social media to take its time in notifying us of a message. Please, be sure you are reporting crimes through the proper channels to ensure a swift and efficient response.
