Driver shoots himself during encounter with Gonzales police officer after crash

A driver who flipped a sportscar shot himself while being questioned by a Gonzales police officer after a crash, according to Ascension Parish Sheriff Bobby Webre.

Police say it happened on Ashland Road near LA 30 after 11:15 p.m. on Wednesday, December 14.

The sheriff identified the driver as Joseph White Jr. He added White died at the scene.

The sheriff’s office released a portion of the body cam footage leading up to the deadly shooting.

Officials said they received several 911 calls about a white Corvette being driven recklessly in the area near LA 30 and I-10.

Sheriff Webre said White’s wife, who was in the car with him, called the police twice and said she was getting pistol whipped.

“The two occupants of that car were married. They were separated at the time, and we believe she had a restraining order against him, but they decided to meet in Baton Rouge, and she decided to take a ride with him, and the result of that, is what happened last night,” said Sheriff Webre.

Gonzales police officers were dispatched to the area, and one of them saw a car fitting the vehicle’s description flipped in the middle of Ashland Road. The sheriff believes some sort of struggle took place inside of the car, which led to the accident.

“When he (officer) drove up to the scene, the corvette was on its roof, and as you seen in the video, the guy started to approach him,” said Webre.

In the video, the suspect initially approaches the officer, while the pair have a conversation. The suspect then pulls out his weapon, and so does the Gonzales police officer.

Then, White turns the gun towards his head and shoots himself.

“You heard the officer give some verbal commands there. Whenever there’s a gun that’s going to be produced in the presence of an officer, it really ratchets up the intensity of that situation. I would say every situation is different,” said Webre.

Webre said the officer fired three rounds and hit White once in the thigh, when he saw White lifting the gun. The officer has been placed on leave with pay, officials said.

The sheriff called the shooting a tragedy. He added the autopsy should be complete by next week.

“You don’t know what goes on in people’s mind. And every time when you have a situation where you have family violence, domestic violence and the taking of life, it’s just a tough situation,” said Webre.

The woman who was in the car with White ran away from the scene after the crash, and is in good condition.

The Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Office and district attorney’s office are still investigating.