One Arrested, Two Critically Injured in Reckless Driving Incident

ROBERT (August 7, 2026)- A Ponchatoula 18-year-old has been arrested in connection with a reckless driving incident that has a teen and a 20-year-old still fighting for their lives.

Josean Martinez has been booked on two counts of Negligent Injury and Failure to Seek Assistance as well as one count each of Obstruction of Justice, Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor and Driving with No License. A 13-year-old passenger was also cited for Failure to Seek Assistance in the matter.

Just before 5 a.m. on Sunday, August 2, the TPSO was alerted to a medical emergency in the 23000 block of Highway 190 in the Robert area. Deputies arrived to find a 17-year-old female and a 20-year-old male critically injured on the ground off the side of the roadway. They were both transported to an area hospital where the female remains in critical condition, but is improving, and the male is in serious condition.

The investigation revealed that while Martinez was driving a pickup truck, the male passenger was standing in the bed of the truck and the female passenger was hanging out of the rear passenger window, both holding onto the top of the truck. At some point, both victims lost their grip on the roof and were thrown to the ground.

The investigation also revealed that a passerby called 911, not Martinez nor a 13-year-old female present at the time of the incident. The pair also left the scene prior to help arriving. There’s additional evidence that Martinez tried to hide his truck.

“This is a devastating reminder to families, especially of young people, that driving is a privilege, not a game, and that vehicles are not toys,” said Sheriff Gerald Sticker, “Two lives are in jeopardy over foolishness. Please join me in prayer for healing and help us stress the importance of safe driving behaviors, rules and expectations, especially ahead of many teens heading back to school as first-time drivers.”

TPSO Public Information Office, pio@tpso.org