Two State, 130 MPH Chase Ends With Arrest, Schools In Lockdown (With Video)
October 7, 2016
A Pensacola man was arrested at gunpoint outside Brewton, AL, Thursday afternoon following a two state chase that reached speeds of 130 mph in Alabama and led to the lockdown of multiple schools in Florida.
(Chase video is at the bottom of the story.)
Authorities say the suspect, identified by Alabama officials as Donald Sylvester Clark, Jr, age 24, stole a late model Chevrolet Impala from Drivetime Used Cars in the 6400 block of Pensacola Boulevard about 12:50 p.m. Thursday. Due to their chase policy, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office followed the vehicle for miles, sometimes with blue lights, sometimes without. Deputies continued to follow the vehicle for a period of time along Highway 29, Nine Mile Road and Ashton Brosnaham Drive, where Clark turned around at RC Lipscomb Elementary School.
The incident prompted lockdowns at Lipscomb, Escambia Westgate, McArthur and eventually Ransom Middle as a precaution, according to Associate Superintendent Norm Ross.
Clark continued into North Escambia on Highway 95A in Molino, where deputies reportedly stopped following the vehicle. At no time were they reported to be in an actual chase or greatly exceeding the speed limit.
Deputies began to follow the vehicle again on Highway 29 in Century, where Clark reportedly followed traffic laws, including stopping a red light stop at Highway 4. Florida deputies stopped following the Impala as it crossed into Alabama and the Flomaton Police Department began an actual chase.
According to Flomaton Police Chief Bryan Davis, Clark reached speeds of 110 mph in the Flomaton town limits and up to 130 mph northbound on Highway 31 toward Brewton. After about six miles, Clark slowed to about 75 mph near Wolf Log Road. He later told authorities he slowed down to a low fuel warning light in the vehicle.
About five miles later on Highway 31, near the Georgia Pacific Plant in Brewton, two law enforcement pickup trucks from the Escambia County (AL) Sheriff’s Office attempted to “box in” the Impala. Clark swerved onto the shoulder and returned to the roadway to strike the deputy’s pickup truck. That caused Clark to lose control and run off the roadway. His vehicle continued about 250 yards before coming to stop.
Clark exited the vehicle with his hands up and law enforcement officers surrounded him and placed him under arrest without further incident.
Flomaton Police charged Clark with a felony for bringing stolen property into the state, reckless endangerment, attempting to elude and at lease nine traffic violations. He was booked into the Escambia County (AL) Detention Center in Brewton. Clark is expected to face additional charges in Escambia County, Florida.
Davis said Clark was driving with suspended learner’s permit.
Pictured: A Pensacola vehicle theft suspect is taken into custody at gunpoint Thursday afternoon near Brewton, AL. Pictured inset: Suspect Donald Sylvester Clark, Jr, shortly after being placed into a deputy’s cruiser. Pictured inset: Flomaton Police chase the stolen car from Sidney Manning Boulevard onto Highway 31. The chase reached 110 mph a short distance later. Pictured bottom inset: Authorities search the vehicle. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Hot And Sunny Weather
October 7, 2016
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 89. North wind 5 to 15 mph.
Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 68. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 89. North wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Saturday Night: Clear, with a low around 62. North wind around 10 mph.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 86. North wind around 10 mph.
Sunday Night: Clear, with a low around 59. North wind around 5 mph.
Columbus Day: Sunny, with a high near 84. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Monday Night: Clear, with a low around 60. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 84.
Tuesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 62.
Wednesday: Partly sunny, with a high near 86.
Wednesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 62.
Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 87.
Justice Department Opens Probe Into Alabama Prisons
October 7, 2016
The U.S. Department of Justice has opened a statewide investigation into the Alabama Department of Corrections and into the conditions of correctional facilities housing male inmates.
The DOJ’s investigation will look into whether there are systematic constitutional violations in the male prisons. The investigation will focus on whether prisoners are adequately protected from physical harm and sexual abuse at the hands of other prisoners; whether prisoners are adequately protected from use of excessive force and staff sexual abuse by correctional officers; and whether the prisons provide sanitary, secure and safe living conditions.
“The Constitution requires that prisons provide humane conditions of confinement,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Vanita Gupta, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “We hope to work cooperatively with the state of Alabama in conducting our inquiry and ensuring that the state’s facilities keep prisoners safe from harm.”
“Our obligation is to protect the civil rights of all citizens, including those who are incarcerated,” said U.S. Attorney Joyce White Vance of the Northern District of Alabama. “This investigation provides us with an opportunity to work collaboratively with the state of Alabama to assess current conditions and ensure constitutionally sufficient conditions exist for all prisoners.”
“The vulnerability of a prisoner makes it even more important that basic hygiene and safe accommodations are afforded the inmates,” said U.S. Attorney George L. Beck Jr. of the Middle District of Alabama.
“We understand the seriousness of the DOJ investigation and will cooperate fully. We will dedicate the necessary time and resources to enable the investigators to complete their work,” said Corrections Commissioner Dunn.
Dunn has identified longstanding problems in Alabama prisons caused by overcrowding, understaffing, and outdated facilities.
“We have been working to provide solutions to the problems faced by the department and will work with the DOJ on recommendations to improve conditions in the Alabama Department of Corrections,” Dunn said.
The investigation will be conducted under the Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act. United States Attorneys’ Offices for the Northern, Middle, and Southern Districts of Alabama will be handling the investigation according to the DOJ announcement.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
FHSAA Hands Down Punishment To Northview Chiefs For Forfeiting Game
October 7, 2016
The Florida High School Athletic Association has handed down punishment to Northview High School for forfeiting a game in the third quarter last Friday night against Maplesville High School in Alabama.
The FHSSA action states that Northview High School’s varsity football team is not permitted to travel outside the state of Florida to compete in a contest until after the 2018-2019 school year. Northview, however, remains eligible to compete in the state championship series in Florida.
A FHSAA rules states that a team that forfeits a contracted game for any reason other than weather shall become ineligible to participate in the state playoffs; however, the FHSAA chose not to implement that penalty according to a Thursday email.
According to Principal Gayle Weaver, Northview Head Coach Dereck Marshman has also been suspended for one game, which will be Friday night’s contest at Liberty County in Bristol. She said assistant coach Glenn Weber will lead the team.
In making their ruling the FHSAA reviewed statements and game film provide by Northview, the contest official’s game report, spoke to the game official and spoke to the athletic director at Maplesville High Schoool.
After the game at Maplesville, Weaver told NorthEscambia.com that after Marshman was ejected for two consecutive unsportsmanlike conduct penalties, she made the call to end the contest with 1:40 to go in the third because “it was no longer a safe environment”.
“The officiating got out of hand,” she said Friday night. “They were trash talking, and they were not officiating. They were not providing a safe environment and it was a danger to our team, everyone on the sidelines and our fans. Someone could have been hurt badly.”
Weaver said Marshman was attempting to get an explanation for a penalty flag when he was ejected. Weaver said the head referee would not provide any explanation or talk to anyone from Northview.
The Maplesville Red Devils are the defending Alabama 1A state champions and were 4-0 headed into Friday night’s game, outscoring opponents 211-14 this season. Friday night, the Red Devils were only up 6-0 headed into halftime against the Northview Chiefs. They had increased their lead to 21-0 by the third quarter, when the game came to halt in the third.
“At that point, it was no longer a game,” Weaver said.
NorthEscambia.com photos.
The Aggie Nation To Fulfill Markus Baxley’s Football Dream Tonight
October 7, 2016
Dreams really do come true in high school football. Just ask Tate High School senior Markus Baxley, who has cerebral palsy.
Baxley has spent four years “on” the Tate Aggies team as an honorary member, but he’s never scored a touchdown, made a tackle or even played a single down. But he embodies that Aggie spirit, and has always provided the support his team needs. Now his team has stepped up to make his dream of playing a reality.
Tonight will be one of the biggest nights of his life. Markus will get to play one play, the play of a lifetime, as the Aggies host the Pace Patriots. The play will occur just before the official kickoff, and will be enough to earn Markus his varsity letter.
“It’s always been my dream to play with people that I have known for a long time,” he said recently. “And now I get to live my dream for one play. It’s going to be a night that I am going to remember for the rest of my life.”
Not bad for a young man that doctors said would never walk and never talk.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Jennifer Repine and Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Escambia Urban Search And Rescue Team Heads To Help After Matthew
October 7, 2016
Crews from Escambia Fire Rescue’s Urban Search and Rescue team have traveled south in assist with the recovery effort following Hurricane Matthew. They staged Thursday night at the Lake City Gateway Airport. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Ernest Ward Beats TR Miller (With Photo Gallery)
October 7, 2016
Ernest Ward Middle School beat T.R. Miller 28-22 Thursday night. Ernest Ward will wrap up their season next week as they host Atmore in Walnut Hill.
For a photo gallery click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Leak Reported At Jay Oil Well, Schools Shelter In Place
October 7, 2016
Jay schools sheltered in place Thursday as an oil well operator reported a leak.
Breitburn Operating LP, which operates the Jay Field, reported that approximately three barrels of hot water and steam were released from a water injection pipeline about 9:20 a.m.
“The water was promptly vacuumed up, and at no time was there any risk to public health, safety or welfare. The water was contained at the location and did not have any impact outside the boundaries of the area where the incident occurred,” according to a statement the company provided to NorthEscambia.com.
“The produced water escaped through a small pinhole in a four-inch water injection line and pooled in an empty, harvested peanut field,” the company said.
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection, local government agencies and the property owner were notified of the leak.
School officials said students were sheltered in place after the schools were notified of a salt water line leak by the Santa Rosa County Emergency Operation Center which did not cause a threat to the schools.
Northview Volleyball Celebrates Senior Night Win
October 7, 2016
The Northview Lady Chiefs volleyball team celebrated senior night with a win over the Escambia Gators Thursday.
The varsity Chiefs defeated Escambia 24-26, 25-18, 22-25, 25-17, 15-7. In junior varsity action, Escambia defeated the Chiefs 25-13, 15-25, 15-17.
Northview seniors honored Thursday night were Courtney Grim, Gabrielle Hawkins, Jamia Newton, Victoria Amerson and Brittanie McLemore.
The Chiefs will travel to West Florida next Tuesday before wrapping up their regular season Thursday night at 4:00 with a special Dig Pink event for breast cancer awareness along with Flomaton, Escambia County (Atmore) and W.S. Neal.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Pictured top: Chiefs JV volleyball action from Thursday night. Pictured below: Northview senior volleyball players are honored. NorthEcambia.com and Kayleen Amerson photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Several North Escambia Schools Placed On Lockdown
October 6, 2016
Several North Escambia area schools were on lockdown for a brief time Thursday afternoon due to a car theft.
The schools were placed on lockdown as the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office was searching for the vehicle theftsuspect who was spotted several times in the North Escambia area. Lipscomb, McArthur and Ransom were among the schools placed on lockdown.
The suspect was eventually taken into custody in Alabama.
NorthEscambia.com will have complete details on the search for the suspect and a high-speed chase that ended with a crash coming up Friday morning. We will also have photos and even a video of the car chase.