A police chase through Columbus, Mississippi, ended in a three-vehicle crash this week after officers tried to stop an untagged Dodge Durango that, it turned out, had been carjacked across the state line in Alabama. Two people are now in custody, while a third suspect remains unaccounted for after fleeing into nearby woods.
The trouble started when Columbus Police were called to Colony Apartments about three suspicious people looking into vehicles, according to wcbi.com. When an officer tried to make a traffic stop, the driver of the Durango took off westbound on Alabama Street toward Lehmberg Road instead of pulling over.
The chase turned dangerous when the Durango reportedly ran the red light at the intersection of Lehmberg and Alabama, triggering a three-vehicle crash, per the same report. From there, the scene turned chaotic as occupants scattered in different directions.
Suspects Scatter as Police Close In
The 17-year-old driver initially ran toward a wooded area but turned back and was taken into custody at the scene, the station's report notes. An 18-year-old passenger also tried to run but was injured in the process and was quickly taken into custody as well. A third occupant ran into the woods in the opposite direction, and police say that person has not yet been found.
Both the driver and the injured passenger were taken to Baptist Golden Triangle for treatment of minor injuries, according to the same account. Once treated, the 17-year-old was taken to the Lowndes County Juvenile Detention Center, while the 18-year-old was taken to the Lowndes County Jail.
Stolen SUV Traced Back to Alabama
Investigators later discovered that the Dodge Durango at the center of the chase had been carjacked in Alabama, a detail that adds another layer to an already tangled case. As The Dispatch reported, the investigation remains ongoing as Columbus Police continue searching for the third suspect who fled into the woods and was still unaccounted for as of Friday.
