Louisiana authorities said Tuesday’s car crash is related to their ongoing investigation into the death of a Georgia man whose body was wrapped in carpet and plastic.
WAFB reported that Baton Rouge detectives were looking into prostitution that may be relevant in the case of Nathan Millard, 43, who was found dead on March 6, nearly two weeks after he vanished during a business trip. Detectives were reportedly approaching a home when a male driver in a white car drove off and ran a stop sign.
According to the news outlet, the driver eventually crashed into another car that is unrelated to their investigation. The driver of the white car, along with a female passenger, were hospitalized for minor injuries.
Police have not yet disclosed how the male driver is connected to their investigation into Millard’s death. Police also said they were not pursuing the man when he fled.
Millard is believed to have suffered a fatal overdose — and his accused drug dealer, Derrick Perkins, 45, is believed to have dumped his body off the Scenic Highway. Millard was reportedly last seen on February 23 at a Greyhound Bus station, where he allegedly refused help from a security guard and told him he was seeking “something to make him feel better” and “a girl to take back to his room.”
An unidentified person reportedly introduced Millard to a prostitute and a man who connected him with Perkins. Two witnesses told police that Millard and Perkins left them at a Circle K convenience store and drove away.
Police corroborated their story by reviewing surveillance footage which last showed Millard alive.
Police said Millard fatally overdosed in a home, where Perkins allegedly wrapped his body and left it in the trunk of his car for up to four days. Perkins reportedly dumped his body when the odor became too strong.
Baton Rouge police said Perkins’ car was found burned last week — but their K9 still detected human decomposition. Police reportedly searched the home where Millard died and discovered plastic sheeting similar to the kind used to wrap his body.
A preliminary autopsy found no internal or external injuries on Millard. A toxicology report is pending.
Perkins was charged with unlawful disposal of remains, obstruction of justice, simple criminal damage to property, and failure to seek assistance. His bail was set at $14,000 at the time of his arrest last week, though the charges against him were upgraded on Monday.
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[Featured image: Nathan Millard/Baton Rouge Police Department]
