It has been 11 years, almost to the day, since the brother of a local celebrity was killed in a high speed chase in Florence. At that time, we asked several retired and current law enforcement officials their opinion of such chases. Four out of five felt that these speed fests were dangerous and usually produced more bad than good.
Flash forward to 2020, and in the past year at least three Shoals area men have died in high speed police chases. One deceased was a car thief; the stolen vehicle was also gone forever. One dead man was a decorated veteran who was guilty of running a red light. A third man was merely a passenger in a vehicle whose driver decided to run from officers.
Last week in Russellville, a similar high speed police chase made its way through parts of the incorporated town, at times exceeding 100 mph. Steven George Melton, a man wanted for a probation violation, was eventually captured with no one being injured. What did police chief Chris Hargett have to say about the incident?
Hargett is quoted in a Franklin County news report as saying: ...this incident never got to the point of extreme danger.
If a chase that stretched from Russellville to Phil Campbell and reached speeds of over 100 mph didn't present extreme danger to the public, perhaps the public should ask Chief Hargett at what point he would consider them in danger?
Flash forward to 2020, and in the past year at least three Shoals area men have died in high speed police chases. One deceased was a car thief; the stolen vehicle was also gone forever. One dead man was a decorated veteran who was guilty of running a red light. A third man was merely a passenger in a vehicle whose driver decided to run from officers.
Last week in Russellville, a similar high speed police chase made its way through parts of the incorporated town, at times exceeding 100 mph. Steven George Melton, a man wanted for a probation violation, was eventually captured with no one being injured. What did police chief Chris Hargett have to say about the incident?
Hargett is quoted in a Franklin County news report as saying: ...this incident never got to the point of extreme danger.
If a chase that stretched from Russellville to Phil Campbell and reached speeds of over 100 mph didn't present extreme danger to the public, perhaps the public should ask Chief Hargett at what point he would consider them in danger?
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