High-speed chase through Phenix City ends in crash, arrest of armed suspect
A high-speed police chase through a busy intersection and developed area ended in a serious crash and the arrest of an armed suspect on Tuesday afternoon.
Image: Viewer submitted
Witnesses reported the pursuit began around 1:30 p.m. on Summerville Road, directly in front of the Publix supermarket. “We watched the chase start right here,” one witness said. “He whipped through the light and went through Walgreens, running from the police, then sped down Riverchase.”
Image: Russell County Jail
The suspect, later identified as 38-year-old Curtis James Thomas, led officers on a dangerous chase before crashing into an unmarked law enforcement vehicle occupied by an investigator near the Riverchase Drive and JR Allen Parkway eastbound on-ramp. The investigator was evaluated by medical staff, according to our crews on scene.
Thomas was taken into custody on multiple felony and misdemeanor charges such as possession of dangerous drugs, including amphetamines, marijuana, paraphernalia, along with reckless endangerment, second degree assault, obstructing police by attempting to elude, attempting to elude police resulting in a vehicle collision, and being a felon in possession of a firearm.
The investigation surrounding the chase and crash remains ongoing. Thomas is currently being held in the Russell County Jail.
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