Chase ends in wreck, arrest

Published 12:00 am Friday, October 3, 2003

An Andalusia man led law enforcement officials on a high-speed chase rather than answer a few questions regarding an armed domestic disturbance Thursday night.

Jarvis Eldrich, 20, of Andalusia was arrested and booked on several charges including reckless endangerment following a high-speed chase that lasted "five to 10 minutes," according to Andalusia Police Department Assistant Chief Rusty Patterson.

The chase began at 9 p.m. when agents with the 22nd Judicial Drug Task Force attempted to stop a subject (Eldrich) on North Cotton Street for questioning concerning an armed domestic disturbance, according to a press release from the Andalusia Police Department.

"The subject failed to heed the officers' emergency equipment and fled in a Chevrolet Blazer," according to the press release. "Officers of the Andalusia Police Department also attempted to stop the subject."

Eldrich continued to evade officers while driving through residential areas at speeds up to 60 mph, according to Patterson.

The chase came to an end when Eldrich attempted to merge onto the MLK Expressway via a yield lane across the street from Hardees and lost control of his vehicle wrecking on the shoulder of the east bound lanes, Patterson said.

"The subject crashed his vehicle across from the Pizza Hut restaurant on MLK Expressway," according to the press release.

The Blazer came to rest on its roof as a result of the wreck.

Eldrich was transported to a local hospital where he was treated for minor injuries sustained in the wreck and then arrested on multiple charges.

Law enforcement officers with the Covington County Sheriff's Department and Alabama State Troopers assisted the Drug Task Force and Andalusia Police Department.