A Pensacola, Fla., man and two others were injured and later arrested after a Friday night police chase; however, only two now face charges after Sheriff Dennis Meeks refused to accept the third at the Covington County Jail.

Florala Chief Sonny Bedsole said the night’s events began just after 9 p.m. when Sgt. Paul Adams and a reserve officer observed a car driving down the middle of the road on Seventh Avenue. When police attempted to approach the car after the two pulled off the road, Bedsole said the suspicious vehicle then fled.

“When Sgt. Adams approached the car, one of the individuals was trying to hide a pill bottle containing crack cocaine,” Bedsole said. “That’s when the pursuit ensued north on (Ala. Hwy.) 55 through Lockhart. Subsequently, the fleeing vehicle wrecked.”

One person was seriously injured, and Life Flight was called; however, once EMTs arrived, the call was cancelled. The car’s three occupants – a Clarence Smiley of Pensacola, Fla., and Tasha D. Harrison and Demetric Robinson, both of Crestview, Fla. – were treated and released from Andalusia Regional Hospital.

“At the accident scene, officers recovered the crack cocaine, as well as rolling papers and $600 in 20s,” Bedsole said. “The two men were booked into the county jail, but the female – who refused medical treatment twice – the sheriff refused to accept, and she was released.”

Bedsole said Harrison was a felony probationer in Florida with a drug conviction.

Smiley was charged with two counts of reckless endangerment, possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia and felony fleeing and held on a $29,000 bond.

Robinson was charged with possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia through municipal court.

Attempts to reach Sheriff Dennis Meeks for comment were unsuccessful.