Suspect rams police vehicle in high-speed chase

Published 2:48 pm Wednesday, February 28, 2018

A man driving a car reported stolen from Tennessee struck a Troy police car Wednesday while fleeing from officers according to Troy Police Chief Randall Barr.

Barr said officers observed a vehicle that had been reported stolen and attempted to make contact with the driver in the parking lot of a business at the intersection of U.S. Highway 231 and Alabama Highway 87.

The driver then fled, Barr said, hitting the vehicle before leading law enforcement officers on a chase that spanned multiple counties. Barr said other law enforcement agencies continued the pursuit, including the Barbour County Sheriff’s Department and Alabama State Troopers.

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The suspect, Stephen Lamar Erby, was eventually arrested in Eufaula by the Eufaula Police Department.

“The chase continued into Clio, Clayton and Louisville onto County Road 49 and ultimately onto US Highway 82 in Eufaula,” said. Sgt. Donald Brown of the Eufaula PD. “Eufaula officers spotted the vehicle traveling East on 82 and were able to set up and deploy spike strips, disabling the vehicle. The vehicle struck the rear of another passenger car before coming to a stop on Eufaula Avenue near Cotton Avenue. Eufaula officers surrounded the vehicle and apprehended the subject inside.”

Eufaula police charged Erby with attempting to elude, bringing stolen property into the state, leaving the scene of an accident involving injury and second-degree criminal mischief.

Barr said the investigation is ongoing and more charges are pending from Troy police.

“We would like to thank all agencies that assisted in this pursuit,” Brown said. “The combined effort from all agencies involved was instrumental in bringing the chase to a safe ending.”

One female was transported to Medical Center Barbour for injury.