Driver arrested after police chase

Published 12:00 am Wednesday, April 27, 2016

By Melanie Ruberti

mruberti@civitasmedia.com

The driver of the dark gray Nissan Altima, right, led LaGrange police on a brief chase down Fourth Avenue and onto Forrest Avenue before Sgt. Jeremy Butler used a PIT maneuver to stop the speeding car Tuesday.

http://lagrangenews.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/37/2016/04/web1_LPD.jpgThe driver of the dark gray Nissan Altima, right, led LaGrange police on a brief chase down Fourth Avenue and onto Forrest Avenue before Sgt. Jeremy Butler used a PIT maneuver to stop the speeding car Tuesday.

Melanie Ruberti | Daily News

LaGrange Police Sgt. Jeremy Butler, left, and Cpl. Norman Wynne pick up pieces of a Nissan Altima after Butler used a PIT maneuver to stop the allegedly speeding car from getting away Tuesday.

http://lagrangenews.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/37/2016/04/web1_LPD2.jpgLaGrange Police Sgt. Jeremy Butler, left, and Cpl. Norman Wynne pick up pieces of a Nissan Altima after Butler used a PIT maneuver to stop the allegedly speeding car from getting away Tuesday.

Melanie Ruberti | Daily News

LaGrange Police Sgt. Christopher Pritchett speaks with the driver arrested after allegedly fleeing police Tuesday. The man was charged with driving on a suspended license, fleeing and eluding and obstruction.

http://lagrangenews.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/37/2016/04/web1_LPD3.jpgLaGrange Police Sgt. Christopher Pritchett speaks with the driver arrested after allegedly fleeing police Tuesday. The man was charged with driving on a suspended license, fleeing and eluding and obstruction.

Melanie Ruberti | Daily News

LaGRANGE — One man was taken into custody after leading city police on a brief chase down Fourth Avenue and onto Forrest Avenue just after 3 p.m. Tuesday.

The driver of a silver Nissan Altima was attempting to avoid a traffic check point set up by officers near the clock tower at Cypress Street and Fourth Avenue, said LaGrange Police Sgt. Jeremy Butler. The motorist allegedly went around cars stopped at the check point, driving in the wrong lane and on to a grass lawn before speeding down Fourth Avenue.

The man drove past Butler, who was in his patrol car. The officer said he used his lights and sirens to try and pull the driver over, but the car turned onto Forrest Avenue and kept going.

As Butler rounded a curve on Forrest Avenue toward Troup Street, he said he saw his chance to perform a PIT — precision immobilization technique — maneuver to stop the car. He used his patrol car to strike the Altima and end the chase.

Butler said the maneuver was successful and he was able to take the driver into custody without further incident.

No one was injured. The rear driver’s side panel and back tire of the Nissan were damaged where the patrol car hit the vehicle to stop it.

The driver was taken into custody and charged with driving on a suspended license, fleeing and eluding and obstruction — all misdemeanor offenses.

Melanie Ruberti is a reporter with the LaGrange Daily News. She may be reached at 706-884-7311, ext. 2156.