Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries enforcement agents arrested a subject for alleged recreational boating violations on Oct. 20 in St. Mary Parish.
Agents arrested Val J. Saurage, 55, of Darrow, for operating or driving a vessel while impaired (DWI) and careless operation of a watercraft.
Agents were on patrol in Bayou Hawkins when they observed Saurage attempting to get his vessel unstuck from the marsh. Agents made contact with Saurage to offer assistance and learned that he was operating his vessel when he lost control in a curve and ran his vessel aground.
While assisting Saurage in freeing his vessel, agents detected that Saurage was impaired. Agents arrested Saurage and booked him into the St. Mary Parish Jail.
Anyone cited for a DWI on the water or on the road will lose his or her driver’s license and boating privileges for the specified time ordered by the judge in the case. Also, each offense of operating a vehicle or vessel while intoxicated counts toward the total number of DWI crimes whether they happened on the water or road.
First offense DWI carries a $300 to $1,000 fine and up to six months in jail. Careless operation of a watercraft brings up to a $300 fine and 30 days in jail.
Agents participating in the case are Sgt. Jeremy Foret, Agent Savanah Lavergne and Lt. Scott Dupre.