LOWNDES CO. – A high-speed chase Friday night on Interstate 75 ended in when the driver of a reported stolen vehicle crashed in Lowndes County.
At approximately 11:30 p.m., the Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office was notified of a vehicle failing to stop for Cook County deputies while traveling south on I-75, said LCSO Capt. Stryde Jones.
” The deputies were informed the vehicle has been reported as stolen during a carjacking to the Atlanta Police Department. Around the 22 mile marker, Lowndes County deputies and troopers from Georgia State Patrol joined in the chase,” Jones said. “As the vehicle, a Ford Mustang, continued south at speeds around 115 miles-per-hour, the driver weaved in and out of traffic until the driver lost control and crashed around the 19 mile marker.”
The driver, James Eldridge Scott Jr., 39, of East Point, Ga., was taken to South Georgia Medical Center for injuries he sustained during the wreck.
No deputies or troopers were involved in the wreck.
“During a search of the vehicle, deputy’s located quantities of several different drugs including Alpha PVP, Cocaine, MDMA, Morphine and individually packaged bags of Marijuana,” Jones said. “All of these drugs will be sent to the Lowndes Valdosta Regional Crime Lab for weights and confirmation testing.”
Scott has been charged with possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of cocaine with the intent to distribute, possession of Alpha PVP, possession of MDMA, possession of Methamphetamine and theft by receiving stolen property. Additional charges related to the chase will sought by the Georgia State Patrol, according to reports.
“We are so fortunate that no one was injured by this person,” said Sheriff Chris Prine. “His disregard for the safety of all involved was obvious. Great job by the deputies and troopers to get this guy off the road.”
In addition to the drugs charges, Sheriff’s Office detectives will also be working with Atlanta Police detectives as they follow up on the circumstances of the stolen vehicle.
Scott has remained at South Georgia Medical Center and will be picked up following his release.
Scott was previously convicted of armed robbery and aggravated assault in Lowndes County in 1996, according to reports from the Georgia Department of Corrections.
Anyone with information about this or any other incident can contact the Sheriff’s Office at (229) 671-2950; or anonymous tips can be provided at (229) 671-2985 or on-line at www.lowndessheriff.com. The Sheriff’s Office is also accessible on Facebook.
