The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) is investigating a deadly high-speed chase that ended in the death of a Georgia deputy Wednesday morning.
According to the Lanett Police Department, the chase started in Georgia and involved a driver believed to be in a stolen 2022 Dodge Challenger. The high-speed pursuit continued along Interstate 85 into Alabama. Several agencies joined in the chase.
Investigators say that's when a Lanett Police officer hit a Coweta County sheriff's deputy as he was exiting his 2017 Dodge Charger. That deputy, Eric Minix, was transported to an area hospital, where he was pronounced deceased.
"DS Eric Minix was a dedicated Deputy and K9 Officer, but more importantly, he was a friend to everyone who knew him," the Coweta County Sheriff's Office said in a statement. "Eric leaves behind a loving wife and three daughters. We have lost a good deputy. We have lost a good man. We have lost a good friend."
Minix, of Luthersville, Ga., was 31 years old.
The Lanett officer involved has been placed on administrative leave pending the ALEA investigation.
"Please keep all involved in your thoughts and prayers," Lanett PD stated.
The driver being pursued was apprehended, taken into custody, and placed in the Chambers County Jail. Decedric Donson, 25, of Pensacola, Fla., is charged with receiving stolen property first-degree and felony attempting to elude.
Agencies involved were Coweta County Sheriff's Office, Troup County Sheriff's Office, Grantville Police Department, Lanett Police Department, West Point Police Department, Chambers County Sheriff's Office and Georgia State Patrol.
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email erica.thomas@1819news.com.
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