Shreveport Police Dept.

Date: May 22, 2008

Phone: 318/673-6932 Fax: 318/673-6933

Contact: Kacee Hargrave, Public Information Officer

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

***Update*** Police seek driver who fled accident

Shreveport Police are looking for Willie Winzer, 31, of Shreveport. Winzer is believed to have caused a major crash that has shut down Interstate 20 eastbound since 2 a.m.

A Shreveport Police officer was trying to stop the Intrigue for speeding on Clyde Fant Parkway. The driver evaded the officer by turning onto Lake Street. He then entered the off-ramp from I-20, heading west in the east bound lane. The officer lost sight of the vehicle, but he continued looking for it. When the officer passed under the Fairfield overpass, he observed a vehicle that had been involved in a crash. A little farther west was the suspect vehicle, with a passenger trapped inside.

The driver, identified as Winzer, had fled the scene. His girlfriend, 28-year-old Sonia Bass of Shreveport, was extricated from the vehicle and transported to LSU Hospital. It appears at this time that the Intrigue struck two vehicles -- one driven by 55-year-old John Brocato of Bossier City and an 18-wheeler driven by Samuel Patrick, 62, of Midlothian, Texas.

Brocato was taken to Willis-Knighton Bossier complaining of back pain. Patrick was not injured, although the 18-wheeler's passenger side fuel tank was ruptured, causing diesel to spill all over the Interstate.

It is believed that Winzer may have injuries resulting from hitting the dashboard of the car.

Anyone with information on Winzer's whereabouts is asked to call Shreveport Police at 673-7300 or Crime Stoppers at 673-7373.

Shreveport Police are looking for the driver of a 1998 Oldsmobile Intrigue, which caused a three-vehicle, head-on crash in the eastbound lanes of Interstate 20 early this morning.

William Winzer, age and address unknown, is believed to be driving in the vehicle with his girlfriend when they went the wrong way down Interstate 20, striking an 18-wheeler and another car.

Winzer has family in Shreveport and Bossier City. He was driving a relative's car at the time of the crash.

It is likely that Winzer has head injuries as a result of hitting the dashboard of the vehicle during the crash. He fled the scene on foot and hasn't been seen since. The girlfriend is in serious condition at LSU Hospital, and the driver of another car was taken to Willis-Knighton Bossier complaining of back pain.

Winzer is a black male with medium build. He weighs about 215 to 220 pounds, is about 5'8" or 5'9' tall and in his mid to late 20s. He is bald.

Anyone with information on Winzer's whereabouts is asked to call Shreveport Police at 673-7300 or Crime Stoppers at 673-7373 immediately. Other details regarding the crash will be sent out later this morning.

Information can be left with Crime Stoppers at 673-7373 or by logging onto the Crime Stoppers website at www.crimestoppersshreveportcaddo.com.

-spd-

View all SPD press releases at www.ci.shreveport.la.us/dept/police/spdnews