CULLMAN COUNTY – New details emerged this morning about a late-night car chase involving the Cullman County Sheriff's Office (CCSO) that ended in a crash at the end of County Road 437 (Old 69 Highway) where the road dead ends into Smith Lake. The incident started in the Good Hope area around 11 p.m. Monday night, and according to Sheriff Matt Gentry, was another example of how law enforcement has to contend with mental illness on a daily basis.
"Deputies observed a vehicle parked in a suspicious location that would indicate the person might be contemplating a burglary or theft of a business in the Good Hope area," said Gentry. "When the deputies got out of their vehicles, the subject's vehicle fled from the scene, and the deputies pursued the individual."
Gentry says that at one point the subject was caught in traffic, and the deputies were able to make an identification. "The person began shouting verbally their intent to commit suicide," he said. "It became clear the person was mentally unstable and wanted to commit suicide by their statements. The subject took off again, driving toward the end of County Road 437, what we call Old 69 Highway, and intentionally wrecked."
The person, whom the CCSO declined to identify at this time, was transported to the hospital for evaluation with injuries that were not serious.
"This is just another example of the mental illness that we in law enforcement deal with day in and day out in the community," said Gentry. "Law enforcement officers deal with criminal activity, but we are also subject to dealing with people with mental illness on a daily basis, and this is another example of that."
Charges will be filed against the driver at a later date, according to the sheriff, and could include attempting to elude and reckless endangerment.
"I want to commend the deputies for their vigilance," said Gentry. "They observed a suspicious vehicle and took the appropriate action."
Officers from the Cullman Police Department, as well as Troopers with the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA), assisted at the scene of the incident.
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