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Two charged in high-speed chase

By Mark Harrison
The Times-Journal

Published August 3, 2009

A high-speed chase through two states ended Sunday with two Fort Payne men charged and a woman on the run from police.

At times, the chase reached speeds of more than 100 mph.

Stephen Crane Alexander, 45, is charged with DUI of a controlled substance, resisting arrest, reckless endangerment and unlawful possession of a controlled substance. Phil Harris Bryant, 39, is charged with unlawful possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Police are still searching for a woman involved in the chase, which started around 9:24 p.m. with a traffic stop at the intersection of Dean Road and DeSoto Parkway.

That stop came after officers went to investigate a separate auto accident on Dean Road, according to Police Chief Ron Ogletree said. He said Bryant had allegedly been involved in that accident, but left the scene after Alexander picked him up.

Fort Payne officers stopped a Pontiac Bonneville being driven by Alexander, with Bryant and the woman as passengers.

Ogletree said officers got Alexander out of the vehicle and tried to arrest him on suspicion of DUI and violation of narcotics law, but Alexander broke away from them. He said one of the officers used a Taser on Alexander, but he still managed to get back in the vehicle and then sped away at a high rate of speed, traveling down Wallace Avenue toward Cherokee County.

Ogletree said police pursued and, during the chase, objects were allegedly thrown out of Alexander’s vehicle allegedly containing narcotics and drug paraphernalia. He said two Fort Payne police cars and an Alabama State Trooper car were involved in the chase, which went on for about 15 minutes and spanned about 20 miles, sometimes reaching speeds of more than 100 mph.

He said the vehicle turned left at Blanche Crossing, and sped toward Menlo, Ga. At some point during this leg of the chase, Ogletree said Bryant jumped out and rolled into a ditch, but officers were able to stop and arrest him.

He said Alexander drove the vehicle into Menlo, finally crashing into a tree near the Dollar General there. Ogletree said Alexander rushed from the vehicle and ran into the woods, but police were able to chase him down and arrest him after a brief struggle.

Ogletree said the female passenger also rushed from the wrecked car and fled. He said officers continue to search for her. He said she has been identified and warrants have been issued, but Ogletree said he couldn’t reveal her name at this time, citing an ongoing investigation.

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