Tuscaloosa Police Give Update On Injured Officer, Pursuit Suspect

Tuscaloosa AL

25 March, 2021

10:27 AM

Description

TUSCALOOSA, AL — A Tuscaloosa teenager involved in a high-speed chase with police that resulted in a multi-vehicle crash is currently being held at the Tuscaloosa Juvenile Detention Center on multiple charges while an officer injured in the incident is recovering from minor injuries. The Tuscaloosa Police Department in a Thursday morning update said the 17-year-old suspect has been charged with first-degree receiving stolen property, two counts of possession of a controlled substance, leaving the scene of an accident, attempting to elude police, second-degree possession of marijuana and resisting arrest. Click here to subscribe to our free daily newsletter and breaking news alerts. Investigators say the teenager was in a vehicle that three officers observed speeding and driving recklessly Wednesday night and failed to stop when officers tried to initiate a traffic stop at the corner of 15th Street and 10th Avenue at approximately 8:25 p.m. The suspect then led the officers on a pursuit that lasted nine minutes and reached speeds up to 100 mph, before ending on McFarland Boulevard in front of Midtown Village and the University Mall when the driver flipped the stolen Nissan Kicks, crashing into two passenger vehicles. The suspect then reportedly exited the vehicle and ran toward the University Mall, before attempting to hide in the bushes near the former Sears store. Police used a K-9 to track the suspect, who suspect surrendered when the officer called out that he was there with a dog. According to TPD, two responding officers in separate vehicles collided, causing one to suffer minor injuries that were treated at DCH Regional Medical Center. The suspect reportedly told officers that someone else was driving the vehicle, which resulted in officers closing McFarland Boulevard for the next hour and a half while they searched within a perimeter set up around the mall. However, there was no evidence was found to suggest a second person involved and an additional suspect was not located. Additionally, TPD says a woman appeared at the scene and told officers that she had recently rented the stolen Nissan, which had disappeared around 8:30 p.m. while parked at a residence. A family member apparently notified the woman a short time after about the wreck, which was being broadcast on Facebook Live. In addition to the charges related to the pursuit, officers alsocharged the teenager with possession of the crack cocaine, prescription pills and marijuana that were found inside and around the overturned car. Have a news tip or suggestion on how I can improve Tuscaloosa Patch? Maybe you're interested in having your business become one of our latest sponsors? Email any and all inquiries to me at [email protected].