Editor’s Note: This story contains information about suicide and may be triggering to some readers. If you are suicidal or having suicidal ideations, please call 988 immediately.
A call about a suicidal person quickly turned into a multi-agency law enforcement chase Wednesday evening.
Tallassee police chief Todd Buce said officers were speaking to someone near the 200 block of Main Street about a call to dispatch concerning a suicidal person.
“Officers were trying to deescalate the situation when he hopped into the car and took off,” Buce said. “The two officers gave chase and they went around town.”
In the process, the driver ran into two Tallassee police vehicles. He also nearly ran head on into another police vehicle.
Buce said the chase went down Highway 229 towards the interstate. The driver turned around then turned onto Rifle Range Road.
“I had our officers stop because of the danger it was presenting to the public,” Buce said. “About that time Elmore County deputies had caught up.”
Elmore County Sheriff Bill Franklin said the chase on Rifle Range Road approached speeds of 70 to 95 mph.
“He brake checked one of the deputies damaging the brush guard on a patrol vehicle,” Franklin said. “He did collide with another vehicle about Dozier Road. Thankfully there were no injuries.”
Jason Downs, 35, of Duluth, Georgia, was the driver of the vehicle and taken into custody. He is currently in the Elmore County Jail.
Buce said Tallassee will likely charge him with two counts of criminal mischief and felony attempting to elude.
The Elmore County Sheriff’s Office has charged Downs with driving under the influence-controlled substances, attempt to elude, reckless endangerment, resisting arrest, obstructing governmental operations, disorderly conduct, failure to possess ex-felon registration card, first-degree criminal mischief, improper lane usage, driving on wrong side of road, reckless driving, driving without insurance, no passing zone, speeding, obstructed windshield, improper lights and failure to register vehicle.
Downs currently has a $54,500 bond available to him on the charges from Elmore County.
There is currently no mugshot of Downs available. One will be added to the story when it is.
