Bernice, LA (2/19/2023) – The Union Parish Sheriff’s Office (UPSO) reported on Sunday, February 19, 2023, at approximately 1:30 am, Bernice Police Department (BPD) contacted UPSO deputies for assistance in Bernice near the intersection of Willis Reed Street and West 2nd Street.
BPD officers advised that several persons, who were attending a bonfire event, had been struck by a vehicle and were injured. Before deputies arrived on the scene, BPD officers also discovered a male in the nearby vicinity, suffering from a gunshot wound to his head.
UPSO deputies arrived on the scene with BPD and began providing first aid to the injured persons. It was learned that a total of five persons were struck by a vehicle, which was found crashed in a nearby ditch.
The five injured pedestrians were each taken to local hospitals for treatment. Their injuries are believed to be non-life threatening. Preliminary investigation revealed that the gunshot victim was the driver of the vehicle that struck the pedestrians. He was transferred to a Shreveport trauma center with serious injuries.
A crime scene was established, and UPSO’s Criminal Investigations Division and Crime Scene Division deputies continued investigating this incident.
No suspect information is currently available. More details will be released at a later time.
