VALDOSTA – A semi truck driver led Lowndes deputies on a chase into Florida Wednesday night before he struck a guardrail and was placed under arrest for driving under the influence of drugs.
Eddie Dean Woody, 66, of Valrico, Florida was arrested following the interstate pursuit which involved several agencies and caused the right southbound lane of Interstate 75 near Mile Marker 465 to be closed for an hour.
At approximately 9 p.m., Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to reports that a semi truck driver was driving erratically on Interstate 75 southbound, said LCSO Capt. Stryde Jones.
“A deputy intercepted the truck near the nine mile marker and also observed the semi truck failing to maintain lane,” Jones said. “The deputy attempted to stop the truck, which failed to stop or even slow down and continued south on the interstate.”
Deputies continued to follow the semi truck because of the reckless manner in which the truck was operating, reports stated.
“During the pursuit, a deputy pulled along side the semi truck in an effort to gain the driver’s attention, but the truck swerved, almost striking the deputy,” Jones said.
The driver swerved towards deputies on at least two occasions, according to reports from the Georgia State Patrol, which assisted in the pursuit.
Florida officials were notified for assistance as the chase crossed the state line.
“Troopers took the primary position of the pursuit at approximately Mile Marker 4 and continued the pursuit into Florida,” said GSP Cpl. Chris Kelch. “Troopers observed the erratic driving of Mr. Woody and noted his use of all three lanes on the interstate. Several attempts to deploy stop sticks were attempted by both Lowndes County and Hamilton County, Florida deputies without success.”
Near I-75 mile marker 465 in Florida, the truck left the roadway and struck a guardrail, which caused the truck to stop, reports stated.
“The 2016 International Semi-Tractor sustained moderate damage during the collision,” Kelch said. “Troopers located numerous prescription medication in the vehicle. GSP assisted Florida Highway Patrol in conducting field sobriety testing and determined Mr. Woody was under the influence of prescription medication during the incident.”
No one was reportedly injured during the incident. Woody was evaluated by EMS on the scene and was cleared of any medical condition, Kelch said.
Woody was arrested and charged with driving under the influence of drugs, aggravated assault, fleeing and attempting to elude, failure to maintain lane and reckless driving, reports stated.
Woody was taken to the Hamilton County Jail, where he is being held on a $10,000 bond, according to HCJ reports. Woody will face pending charges in Florida before being extradited to Georgia.
“This is excellent work by the deputies and a great cooperative effort between our law enforcement partners in Florida to get this person stopped before he injured someone,” said Lowndes County Sheriff Chris Prine.
