Police Chase Ends in Crash on I-20 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama

A long and winding police chase in Tuscaloosa Saturday evening ended in a crash on I-20/59 under the Greensboro Avenue bridge and with one suspect in custody.

Stephanie Taylor, a Tuscaloosa Police Department spokesperson, said the chase began just before 6 p.m. when officers tried to pull over a black Chevy Malibu registered to a man with active warrants who fled when they attempted to stop him.

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Taylor said the chase led officers all throughout Tuscaloosa, from Jack Warner Parkway and Seventh Ave. NE to Helen Keller Boulevard, then onto Campus Drive and University Boulevard before moving south on Dr Edward Hillard Drive. The suspect then crossed 15th Street onto Sixth Ave East and led police through multiple residential areas before fleeing on to McFarland Boulevard and finally onto I-20.

The pursuit ended on the interstate when the driver, who was fleeing westward, attempted to crash through an ALDOT guardrail and badly wrecked his vehicle.

The suspect took off on foot and climbed a grassy hill beside Elliott Detailing Carwash at the intersection of 40th Street and Greensboro Avenue, but was immediately met by a large number of Tuscaloosa Police Officers, who were able to arrest him without further carnage.

For as long and winding as the pursuit was, Taylor said it never reached particularly high speeds -- she said the Malibu's highest recorded speed was 71 miles per hour on the interstate.

Taylor and a TPD sergeant on the scene said no one was badly injured in the mayhem, although the driver was banged up in the wreck on the interstate.

The wreck and police presence snarled traffic in both directions on I-20/59 near Exit 71 Saturday evening, but neither route was completely closed as of 6:45 and traffic was able to move slowly through the area.

Stay connected to the Tuscaloosa Thread for more details on the chase and the suspect as they are made available.