Sunday chase ends with crash

Published 1:38 am Wednesday, November 29, 2017

A man from Laurel Hill led Florala Police on a chase that ended in a crash early Sunday morning.

Florala Police Chief Sonny Bedsole said that an officer spotted a black Chevrolet Impala driving erratically on North 6th Street at around 2:42 a.m.

The officer attempted to initiate a traffic stop on the vehicle.

“The suspect fled towards Lockhart,” Bedsole said. “The officer engaged in a vehicle pursuit that continued up past Lockhart, and out towards county jurisdiction. The suspect ran around seven stop signs, on his path to what we assumed was Laurel Hill.”

The chase reached speeds up to 100 mph.

Near Parrish Road, the officer attempted to pass the suspect, and the suspect hit the side of the patrol car with his vehicle.

From there, the suspect’s vehicle ran into the ditch, which ended the chase.

Serious damage was dealt to the suspect’s car, while the patrol car is suspected to have less than $2500 of damage.

“The patrol car’s grill is bent, and the left front fender is bent,” Bedsole said. “Luckily there were hardly any motorists out on the road.”

Officers arrested Willie Goldsmith Jr., 31, of Laurel Hill.

He was charged with public intoxication, resisting arrest, attempting to elude, three counts of reckless endangerment, and open container.