Opelika man dead after going unresponsive at end of high speed chase, officials say
An investigation is underway in Lee County after an Opelika man died Thursday night despite life saving measures performed by deputies at the end of a reckless high speed chase.
Lee County officials say their 911 center received a call from a motorist traveling east on US Highway 280 near Lee Road 251 just east of the Salem community at approximately 6:57 pm central standard time on Thursday, December 21, 2023. “The motorist reported a white sedan was swerving in and out of traffic lanes and provided a license plate number,” authorities said.
Lee County deputies were alerted and were able to locate the vehicle a few minutes after 7:00 pm as it continued eastbound on US Highway 280.
“The vehicle was being operated in a reckless manner and when deputies attempted to stop the vehicle, it accelerated away, to elude,” they added. A pursuit was initiated, and the vehicle continued east into Phenix City along several roadways including US 80 and Summerville Road. Phenix City Police, Russell County Sheriff’s Deputies, and an ALEA Trooper engaged in the pursuit as speeds reached 130 miles per hour.
The pursuit returned to US 280 westbound toward Opelika and spike strip tire deflation devices were successfully deployed at US 280 and Lee Road 379.
Despite its’ tires deflating, the white sedan continued to travel westbound at a speed nearing 100 miles per hour. The sedan finally came to a stop near the intersection of US 280 and Lee Road 249 in the Bleecker community.
“The driver exited the vehicle and initially resisted as law enforcement officers worked to take him into custody,” Lee County Sheriff’s Office added. “Officers utilized a Taser device in “drive stun” mode in the attempt to take the driver into custody.” Within a minute, the driver was handcuffed. Within a few seconds, officers noticed the driver was not breathing.
An ambulance was requested, CPR was initiated and Narcan administered by officers on the scene. The driver was transported to Piedmont Columbus Regional Medical Center. Medical personnel at Piedmont pronounced the driver, now identified as 34-year-old Jeremy Jackson of Opelika, deceased.
“Due to multiple agency involvement, Sheriff Jones has requested the Opelika Police Department take the lead on the investigation into the circumstances of the incident as a non-involved agency,” officials said.
Jackson will be transported to the Department of Forensic Sciences in Montgomery for a postmortem examination.
The investigation is on-going and when completed will be submitted to the Lee County District Attorney for presentation to a Grand Jury.
