LANETT, Ala. — A Coweta County deputy has died after an Alabama police officer ran into the deputy after a high-speed chase, according to Alabama officials.
Officials identified the victim as Coweta County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Sheriff Eric Minix. He leaves behind a wife and three daughters.
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The crash happened on Interstate 85 around 11:55 p.m. Wednesday night in Chambers County, Alabama.
The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency said that Decedric Donson, a 25-year-old from Pensacola, was driving a stolen 2022 Dodge Challenger.
Coweta County Sheriff Lenn Wood said the suspect was driving at high speeds and led Minix on a pursuit through multiple counties before it crossed the state line. Wood said police in Alabama had set up stop sticks that successfully stopped Donson.
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Minix got out of his patrol car and started to give commands to Donson. That is when ALEA officials said Officer Cornelius Robinson of the Lanett, Alabama Police Department pulled up to the scene.
Robinson couldn’t stop his patrol car in time and ran into Minix. The Coweta deputy was transported to East Alabama Medical Center-Lanier in Valley, where he died.
Lanett police told Channel 2 Action News that Robinson has been placed on administrative leave.
“Our heartfelt condolences are sent to the family and department. Please keep all involved in your thoughts and prayers,” the department said in a statement.
The Chambers County Sheriff’s Office booked Donson on charges of receiving stolen property in the first degree and felony attempting to elude.
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