A traffic stop by a Mathiston policeman last week erupted into an exchange of gunfire and a high-speed, wrong-way chase down the highway.
Neither the officer nor the driver was hit by gunfire and no one was injured during the chase that ended with the fleeing suspect crashing, according to Mathiston Police Chief Roger Miller.
The incident began about 2 a.m. April 5, when Mathiston Officer Shane Box pulled over a man later identified as Vance W. Hill, 42, of 113 Kenswick Court, Starkville. Box stopped him on U.S. 82 near Subway for driving down the wrong side of the four-lane highway.
When Box walked up to the driver's side of the car, a gun barrel came out, Box backed up for safety and Hill fired the gun at him, said Miller. Box reached a safer place and returned fire, striking Hill's 2005 Dodge Neon more than once as it fled the scene.
Miller said Hill sped west in the eastbound lanes of the highway, driving 110 mph most of the time. Box radioed for assistance, with Miller and Eupora PD Officer Keith Crenshaw joining him in the pursuit. Miller said an eastbound vehicle had to leave the roadway to avoid a collision with the others as they were driving the wrong way.
When Hill lost control of his car about half a mile east of Tomnolen, the three officers were able to apprehend him but not without a struggle, according to Miller. They took him into custody and transported him to the Webster County Jail.
Hill was charged with aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, felony eluding and fleeing from a law enforcement officer in a motor vehicle, disorderly conduct, reckless driving, driving under the influence-second offense, driving on wrong side of roadway and driver's license suspended-implied consent
His bond totaled $107,3000 but he posted bail last Thursday afternoon and was released. Miller said he is scheduled to appear in Mathiston Municipal Court on May 4.
Two high-powered rifles with scopes were found in Hill's car and both were loaded at the time of his apprehension, according to Miller. One was a 30.06-caliber Model 742 Remington, which Miller said was the one used to shoot at Box, and the other was a .270-caliber Model 700.
In other criminal activities, the Sheriff's Department received a report last week that someone had stolen the gate from Greensboro Cemetery.
Post a Comment