A Cherokee County man was arrested on Drug Trafficking charges over the weekend, in neighboring Etowah County. 

According to information contained in a news release issued by Etowah County Drug Enforcement Unit Commander Randall Johnson – on Sunday, Officer Zachary Allen of the Glencoe Police Department attempted to pull over a vehicle for a traffic violation, however when he activated his emergency lights, the driver fled – which led to a high speed chase.  During the pursuit, the driver struck a concrete culvert, flipping the car onto its top. 

At that point, the officers noticed flames coming from the vehicle and deployed a pair of fire extinguishers from the Glencoe Patrol units already on the scene – keeping the  fire under control until the Glencoe engines could arrive.

The driver, later identified as 47 year old Eddy J. Hill of Centre, managed to get out of the car safely.

Afterwards, a search of that vehicle was conducted, and officers found approximately 69 grams of methamphetamine, a small quantity of marijuana, drug paraphernalia – and what was termed a “large amount” of cash.

Hill was placed under arrest at the scene – and charged with one count of Trafficking Methamphetamine; one count of Unlawful Possession of Marijuana 2nd Degree; with one count Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia; Criminal Mischief 3rd Degree and Fleeing/Attempting to Elude.

He was released after posting bond of $77,000 – that, according to the Etowah County Sheriff’s Office website.

Commander Johnson says that investigation is on-going and that additional state and federal charges could be forthcoming.

The Etowah County Drug Enforcement Unit, Gadsden Police Department, the Etowah County Sheriff’s Office, Glencoe Police Department, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms and North Alabama FBI Criminal Enterprise Task Force – all participated in that case.