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Missing pickup driver suspected of driving off Chalmette Ferry landing

Law enforcement said they are searching for Roland Emile Messa, 54, from Harahan after he apparently drove his pickup truck off of the Chalmette Ferry, Saturday.

CHALMETTE, La. — Authorities in St. Bernard Parish said they identified the man who drove off the Chalmette Ferry landing on Saturday, closing ferry service and leading a search party to the area.

St. Bernard Parish Sheriff's Office said they are searching for Roland Emile Messa, 54, from Harahan after he apparently drove his pickup truck off of the Chalmette Ferry landing Saturday.

"Detectives ... learned through eyewitness accounts that a white pickup truck was observed sinking in the river, and an adult male was seen swimming away from it, but disappeared under the water and never resurfaced," SBPSO said Thursday. "Detectives determined through video surveillance that the truck was driven by Messa."

On Saturday, the 2:30 a.m. incident closed down the Chalmette Ferry and led the Coast Guard planes and boats to the area. Law enforcement had initially reported that the area was too dark to identify the driver.

The investigation is ongoing as of Thursday, according to SBPSO, and the law enforcement office said they are working with the Coast Guard and Harbor Police to find Messa. 

Anyone with information about the whereabouts of Messa or any other information pertaining to this incident has been asked to call the Sheriff’s Office at (504) 271-2501, the Criminal Investigations Bureau’s tip hotline at (504) 271-TIPS or 8477, or Crimestoppers GNO at (504) 822-1111.

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