JACKSON COUNTY, Fla. (WTXL) - An Alabama man faces a charge of fleeing from police after a Jackson County Sheriff's Office deputy attempted a traffic stop on him for speeding and he drove away.
Willie Richardson, 66, of Decatur, Alabama, drew the attention of a deputy when Richardson's vehicle was traveling east bound on Fort road and came stopped abruptly in the middle of the roadway.
The deputy noted the vehicle lights being turned off and then back on before the driver continued on the roadway, according to a news release.
As the vehicle began traveling on the roadway again the deputy followed the vehicle and his radar indicated Richardson's vehicle was speeding, going 76 mph in a 55 mph zone.
When the deputy turned on his emergency lights to initiate a traffic stop, Richardson's vehicle failed to pull over. While the deputy chased Richardson, Richardson displayed an open folding pocket knife out of the driver side window.
The deputy pursued Richardson south on Highway 69 into Grand Ridge, Florida, where they then turned left and began traveling east bound on Highway 90 toward Sneads, Florida.
With the assistance of Sneads Police Department, the pursuing deputies slowed Richardson to a stop.
Richardson then placed his vehicle into reverse and accelerated, causing the suspect’s vehicle to strike the deputy’s marked patrol vehicle, causing minor damage.
Richardson was taken into custody and transported to the Jackson County Correctional Facility to await first appearance.
