A Duluth, Georgia, man was in front of Elmore County District Court Judge Glen Goggans for a preliminary hearing and seeking a bond reduction.
On April 2, Elmore County Sheriff’s deputies began to pursue a vehicle driven by Jason Downs, 35, of Duluth, Georgia, on Rifle Range Road after officers with the Tallassee Police Department had called off the pursuit. The vehicle had already hit two Tallassee police cars and attempted to hit another.
“The vehicle was traveling on the grass on Rifle Range Road,” a deputy testified. “I initiated a traffic stop.”
The vehicle didn’t stop and traveled erratically with speeds reaching 100 mph at times.
“He brake checked me,” the deputy said.
The incident caused about $5,000 in damage to the patrol vehicle.
The driver drove on the wrong side of the road and narrowly avoided head-on collisions.
“He evidently lost control and crashed into another vehicle,” the deputy said. “He was stuck. He would not get out of the vehicle after multiple times telling him to get out.”
Deputies removed Downs from the vehicle. He then briefly ran from law enforcement and was tased.
Downs was taken to an area hospital for treatment and drug screen.
“He had THC in his system,” the deputy said.
Downs was charged 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.
Goggans bound the case over to the grand jury and left Downs’ bond the same — $47,000 cash.