LIVINGSTON - A high-ranking state official was arrested over an apparent drug deal that led to a chase on I-12 Tuesday afternoon and later was removed from her position following the arrest. 

The Livingston Parish Sheriff's Office said Bridgette Hull, the executive secretary of the Louisiana State Board of Private Security Examiners, was involved in the deal outside a fast food restaurant in Albany. Deputies took her into custody as a second suspect, Steven McCarthy, took off in his car.

Law enforcement chased McCarthy onto I-12 and headed west toward the Baton Rouge area. The pursuit came to an end when McCarthy crashed into another car on the interstate between Holden and Livingston.

The driver of the other vehicle suffered minor injuries, and the crash jammed up traffic on the interstate all afternoon.

Authorities said investigators with the Louisiana Attorney General's Office discovered the drug deal involving Hull and asked for help making the arrests.

The board's previous leader, Fabian Blache III, was ousted by its members just last year amid several WBRZ reports on his alleged sexual misconduct. 

Hull was booked for possession of fentanyl and meth with intent to distribute and possession of a firearm with drugs. McCarthy was also booked on several drug and weapons charges, as well as aggravated flight and negligent injury related to the chase. 

The State Board of Private Security Examiners scheduled a special meeting Thursday to discuss Hull's future. During this meeting, Hull was removed from her position as executive secretary. Stephanie Richardson, the agency's chief of compliance and investigation, was chosen to be an interim replacement.

Hull bonded out of jail Sep. 9. Her bond was set at $250,717.