Search for Armed and Dangerous Fugitives
As of late Tuesday evening (March 8), troopers with the Tennessee Highway Patrol were combing the area around Interstate 40 near Henderson Road and Christmasville Road/Dr. F. E. Wright Drive for two prison escapees considered armed and dangerous. Darian “Drake” Pierce, 33, and Ricky Wedgeworth, 36, are believed to be on foot in the area. Troopers said around 8:00 p.m., Tuesday, they attempted to pull their vehicle over. But instead of stopping, the two are accused of bailing out of their vehicle as it rolled into a ditch near mile marker 84 along westbound I-40 and running into the wooded area. According to the Louisiana State Police, Pierce is serving time for attempted second degree murder while Wedgeworth is serving time for armed robbery. Louisiana official report the two men were last seen on prison grounds in Baton Rouge, Monday around 2:00 p.m. They are believed to have gotten away in a stolen prison van. That vehicle was recovered a short time longer on U.S. 61 just south of St. Francisville, LA If you live in the area that is being searched by troopers and officers, you are asked to be particularly careful and make sure your doors and windows are locked. If you see either men, call 911 right away.
