High-speed chase ends in crash with Mississippi Highway Patrol vehicle; Lucedale man arrested
GEORGE COUNTY, Miss. (WKRG) — A Lucedale man is in custody after a high-speed chase that ended in a crash with a Mississippi Highway Patrol vehicle, according to the George County Sheriff’s Office.
GCSO deputies arrested 28-year-old Austin Butler of Lucedale, Mississippi, after he allegedly led law enforcement on a high-speed chase throughout the Central community.
According to officials, Butler was traveling eastbound, approaching a safety checkpoint at the intersection of Highway 26 and Central Fire Tower Road at around 9:40 p.m. on April 11. When he saw the checkpoint patrolled by several GCSO deputies and MHP troopers, he reportedly turned around.
Butler — who had previously been arrested for fleeing in a motor vehicle and was out on bond for armed robbery of a Raceway Gas Station in Moss Point — reportedly started driving westbound.
An MHP trooper reportedly noticed and followed Butler, leading to a high-speed chase.
The suspect allegedly lost control of his vehicle and crashed into a power pole, according to the GCSO, which said the crash’s impact caused the pole to fall into the roadway, according to reports.
The crash on Cochran Town Road reportedly happened when an MHP trooper was trying to avoid the falling post.
Minor injuries were reported in the crash.
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Butler was charged with felony fleeing, driving under the influence, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of marijuana, and several traffic violations, according to a press release.
He is currently being held at the George County Regional Correctional Facility, pending an appearance with a George County Justice Court judge.
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