Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Detectives arrested a Campti woman in connection with a Hit and Run Crash on New Year’s Day, according to the Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office.

NPSO Patrol Division deputies responded to a Hit and Run Crash at the Natchitoches Animal Hospital on Hwy. 6 East in the Grand Ecore area of Natchitoches on Jan. 1 at 10:24 am.

The crash reportedly involved a vehicle that left the scene after it left the roadway, striking and destroying a sign owned by the Natchitoches Animal Hospital valued at approximately $5,000 dollars.

Deputies assigned to the NPSO Patrol Division responded to the scene.

An offense report was turned over to the NPSO Criminal Investigations Division for a follow-up investigation.

Detectives also responded to the scene and collected physical evidence.

As the investigation progressed, detectives with the assistance of a local body shop identified some of the physical evidence as body parts from a late 1990’s red Chevrolet Trailblazer.

During a detective division briefing, detectives assigned to investigate crimes in north Natchitoches Parish recalled a vehicle matching the description of the suspect frequenting the Jim Bell Road north of Campti, La.

Detectives traveled to the area and located a red Chevrolet Trailblazer with heavy damage parked at a residence in the 100 block of Jim Bell Road.

Detectives made contact with the vehicle owner identified as Charlene Harper. While interviewing Harper she initially advised that she had loaned her vehicle to a friend that crashed it but when asked other questions in relation to the friend her story became conflicting.

Harper then confessed to the crash stating that while she was operating the vehicle on Monday morning traveling westbound on La. Hwy 6 she apparently fell asleep crossed the center-line leaving the roadway on the left side striking the sign.

After striking the sign, Harper said she left the scene without notifying law enforcement.

Deputies arrested:

Charlene Michelle Harper, 34, of the 100 block of Jim Bell Road, Campti, La. was booked into the Natchitoches Parish Detention Center on January 8, charged with Hit & Run, Driving under Suspension due to a prior DWI, No Drivers License, Failure to Report an Accident, and No Vehicle Compulsory Insurance.

Harper has posted bond pending a court appearance in the Tenth Judicial District Court.

Detective C. LaCour was assisted by Detective D. Winder in the investigation.