High-speed chase leads to drug arrest

Laura Young
ECB Publishing, Inc.

Jefferson County Sheriff's Office (JCSO) has reported that during a traffic stop on U.S. Hwy. 90 on Monday afternoon, April 10, the subject fled the scene, heading east. JCSO alerted the Madison County Sheriff's Office (MCSO) that they were in pursuit of a black truck and were entering Madison County. The fleeing vehicle was reportedly traveling at speeds over 100 mph.
Madison County Sheriff David Harper reports that MCSO deputies immediately responded to the area to assist and strategically located an area to deploy tire deflation devices. The fleeing vehicle was observed approaching Elizabeth Sims Road on U.S. 90 as it continued to travel in an easterly direction at a high rate of speed.
MCSO deputies successfully deployed tire deflation devices, puncturing all four tires. The fleeing vehicle briefly continued traveling easterly in the westbound lane on U.S. 90. Due to the loss of air in the vehicle’s tires, the fleeing suspect lost control and crashed on the south side of U.S. 90 into an area of standing water.
The suspect quickly exited the vehicle and attempted to flee on foot but was swiftly apprehended. Laying under the suspect from where he was apprehended was a Glock 27 .40 Caliber handgun.
An inventory of the vehicle registered to the suspect (2011 Nissan Titan, Black in color) discovered one baggie of cocaine, additional baggies used to package illegal substances and two sets of scales used to weigh illegal substances.
The suspect was identified and charged as the following:
Pedro Contreras, H/M, DOB: 12/12/2000, of Valdosta, Ga.
• 1 ct. Possession of cocaine
• 1 ct. Possession of drug paraphernalia
• 1 ct. Possession of a firearm by convicted felon
• 1 ct. Fleeing and eluding
The suspect was written citations for the following violations:
• Speeding
• Not wearing seatbelt
• Driving wrong side of roadway

Charges are pending in Jefferson County.
Madison County Sheriff David Harper stated, “This is a great demonstration of law enforcement agencies working together to make our roadways as safe as possible,” he said.