A Saint Landry Parish Deputy is facing charges after crashing his cruiser while under the influence of illegal drugs.

Sheriff Bobby Guidroz says, "It's hard to put a sworn officer in a jail cell, but it had to be done." Crystal Meth, Cocaine, and Loritab were among the drugs Layne Richard was taking when he crashed his patrol unit.

At the time, Richard told his supervisor he hit a pothole and drove into a ditch. But the supervisor became suspicious, when he realized Richard did not report the accident.

The damage to the cruiser was minor, but it was enough for Sheriff Bobby Guidroz to charge one of his own with malfeasance in office, hit and run driving, and careless operation.

Sheriff Bobby Guidroz says Richard was responding to a call in the Lawtell area when another deputy noticed Richard could hardly talk or walk.

He was then transported to Opelousas General Hospital where he was screened for narcotics. That's when he finally confessed to taking all three illegal drugs.  At that point, he was released from the hospital and booked into the Saint Landry Parish Jail.

Richard was hired in 2006, now he is out of a job and, behind bars.  Richard's blood is now at the Louisiana State Police Lab for further analysis.

Hubert Tate