LAKE CHARLES, La. — A 50-year-old Groves man has been sentenced by a Louisiana judge to 25 years in prison in connection to a fatal wreck during a chase in 2021.
Kristopher J. Lalonde, 50, of Groves, pleaded guilty on Tuesday to manslaughter in a fatal wreck he caused while being chased by a Calcasieu Parish deputy in 2021, according to a news release from the Calcasieu Parish District Attorney's Office.
He was sentenced by Judge Judge Robert Wyatt to 25 years in prison serving hard labor and will receive credit for time served.
When a Calcasieu Parish Sheriff's Office deputy attempted to pull Lalonde over for a traffic violation in March 2021, he sped away leading deputies on a chase according to the news release.
During the chase Lalonde ran a stop sign causing a fatal wreck with a vehicle that had the right of way
"An innocent life was taken because Lalonde chose not comply with the deputy's order after he activated his lights and sirens," Calcasieu Parish District Attorney Stephen Dwight said according to the release.
"I want to be clear that if you don't comply with a lawful order from law enforcement in our parish, you will be held accountable."
This is a developing story. We will update with more if and when we receive more confirmed information.
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