Wanted Felon Apprehended After High-Speed Pursuit in DeKalb County
FORT PAYNE — A wanted felon was taken into custody Tuesday following a high-speed vehicle pursuit that ended in Valley Head, according to the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office.
Sheriff Nick Welden said the incident began around 11:15 a.m. on March 17 when agents with the DeKalb County Drugs and Major Crimes Unit attempted to stop a white 2000 Chevrolet Silverado at the intersection of Gault Avenue North and Alabama Avenue in Fort Payne.
The driver, identified as Jason Lynn Souder, 52, of Cedartown, Georgia, was wanted on felony warrants out of Cherokee County, Alabama, and Haralson County, Georgia. Authorities also identified Souder as a known gang affiliate who was believed to be armed and dangerous.
According to officials, Souder refused to stop, initiating a pursuit involving deputies, investigators, narcotics agents, and Fort Payne Police officers. The chase continued along County Road 137 toward Valley Head, with speeds reportedly exceeding 100 miles per hour.
The pursuit ended at the intersection of County Road 761 and County Road 954, where Souder stopped the vehicle and fled on foot into a heavily wooded area. He was apprehended after a brief foot chase.
Following his arrest, authorities conducted an inventory of the vehicle and reported finding methamphetamine, fentanyl, drug paraphernalia, and a handgun that had recently been reported stolen out of Piedmont.
Souder was transported to the DeKalb County Detention Center, where he faces multiple charges, including felony attempting to elude, possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute, possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, receiving stolen property in the second degree, attempted assault in the second degree, certain persons forbidden to possess a firearm, criminal mischief in the first degree, and reckless endangerment.
Authorities also reported that a female passenger exited the vehicle at the beginning of the pursuit in Fort Payne and was later transported to Erlanger Hospital. Her condition has not been released.
The case remains under investigation, and additional charges may be pending.
Sheriff Welden praised the coordinated response by law enforcement, stating, “No matter the situation, running from law enforcement only makes matters worse. This situation was handled with professionalism and dedication and was brought to a safe end, with the suspect behind bars. Thank you to all assisting agencies.”
