B.R woman arrested in Ascension after hit-&-run, her 8-year-old tests positive for cocaine

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A Baton Rouge woman was arrested in Ascension Parish following an Oct. 6 hit-and-run crash and subsequent investigation that found the woman's 8-year-old daughter had cocaine in her system, according to State Police Senior Trooper Bryan Lee.

Meagen Banai, 30, was booked Sunday after she was apprehended in Denham Springs, found with cocaine and other drug paraphernalia, Lee said.

Troopers were called to a hit-and-run crash on La. 44 south of La. 22 the evening of Oct. 6, where they found an abandoned 2017 Hyundai Sonata in a residential pond near the road, Lee said.

Trooper determined the vehicle ran off the roadway, crossed several driveways, struck a port-a-potty and then traveled 400 feet before hitting the pond, Lee said.

Investigators determined Banai was the driver and her 8-year-old daughter was the front seat passenger. Banai had a seat belt on at the time of the crash, but her daughter did not, Lee said.

Banai was not an authorized user of the vehicle, the owner told troopers. They also found found drug paraphernalia in the vehicle, Lee said.

After the crash, the child complained of being injured but Banai did not take her to the hospital.

A family member later took the girl to the hospital, where she tested positive for cocaine and Benzodiazepine, something commonly found in Xanax, Lee said.

Officials first detained Banai Friday in Denham Springs, where she was found with cocaine and drug paraphernalia, Lee said.

She was transported to the hospital for treatment due to her condition, but while at the facility she attempted to escape, Lee said.

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