Accident follows chase with 100 mph+ speeds

At approximately 12:15 a.m. Friday morning, the Andalusia Police Department received a call from a resident on Chestnut Street reporting that her car was just stolen. Officer Brian Baxley responded to the residence to speak with the vehicle owner.

At approximately 12:24 AM, Sgt. Anthony Hattaway made contact with a vehicle matching the description of the stolen car, traveling at a high rate of speed on the West Bypass near Jack’s Restaurant. Sgt. Hattaway turned around and attempted to make a traffic stop. The driver refused to stop and speeds reached more than 100 mph on the West Bypass before turning onto Brooklyn Road. The driver lost control and crashed one mile past the Brooklyn Bridge.

The driver, identified as 35-year-old Darius V. Blackmon of Andalusia, was captured and is facing charges of first degree theft of property, a felony, and attempting to elude law enforcement, as well as several tickets for traffic offenses.

He is currently being held in the Covington County Jail on a $30,000 bond.