High speed chase in Baldwin County

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During the evening of Wednesday, Dec. 19, at approximately 6 p.m., 46-year-old John Simmion Tyson of Butler, Alabama, led police on a high-speed chase that spanned South Baldwin to Northwest Florida, and ended back in Baldwin County. The chase began in Foley, where according to Deputy Chief Thurston Bullock of Foley PD, an officer observed a 2018 Silver Hyundai Accent stopped at the southbound lane of Highway 59 at the intersection of Highway 98. The officer approached, suspecting the vehicle to be disabled, where he observed Tyson passed out behind the wheel.

Bullock stated the officer had to get Tyson’s attention by beating on the window. According to a statement released by the Foley Police Department, “It appeared the driver may have been under the influence of something, but before the officer could get him to exit the vehicle, the driver quickly sped off, and a pursuit was initiated with the suspected impaired driver.”

Foley officers successfully deployed spike strips at the intersection of Fern Avenue and Highway 59, causing Tyson’s front left tire to deflate. Tyson continued south on Highway 59 into Gulf Shores, turning east on Highway 182 going into Orange Beach. The Orange Beach PD assisted in the chase. According to the released police report, Tyson deliberately struck police vehicles belonging to both Foley and Orange Beach.

Tyson continued into Escambia County, Florida, and what began as a low-speed pursuit eventually reached speeds around 65 miles per hour.

The report goes on to state: “It appeared several times that the deflated tire and damage to the vehicle was about to disable it, but once the vehicle entered into Escambia County and approached a heavier populated and traveled area the pursuit was discontinued.”

ALEA came into contact with the vehicle disabled on Interstate 10 near mile marker 57 approximately an hour later. Tyson had barricaded himself inside, but surrendered to officers soon after.

The Foley PD is working with the Baldwin County District Attorney’s office as well as other agencies on criminal charges related to this incident. According to Bullock, possible charges include Eluding, Attempted Assault First Degree, Criminal Mischief, and DUI.