One Dead, One Arrested After Police Pursuit Ends at Noccalula Falls Campground
GADSDEN — A Wednesday night police pursuit that wound through multiple areas of Gadsden and up Lookout Mountain ended in tragedy, leaving one suspect dead and another in custody.
The incident began when individuals invovled in an investigation by the Gadsden Police Department’s Street Crimes and Drugs Unit fled from officers, prompting a pursuit that quickly expanded to include assistance from multiple law enforcement agencies.
WEIS became aware of the situation as the chase moved through the Mill Village area of Alabama City. From there, the fleeing vehicle traveled along 211/Noccalula Road, heading into the Noccalula community atop Lookout Mountain.
Witnesses reported that officers appeared to take action to disable the vehicle in the vicinity of Jack’s restaurant, possibly through the use of spike strips or another intervention method. Shortly afterward, the driver turned into the entrance leading to the Noccalula Falls Campground, reportedly bypassing the security arms and continuing into the park.
A video of the chase entering the lot can be downloaded below. The video is unedited and may contain some language:
Chase into Noccalula Falls Campground
Those in the area described the vehicle as damaged, producing loud noises consistent with damaged tires. At least two tires were believed to be deflated as the vehicle continued through the campground’s parking and travel areas.
The pursuit came to a halt within the campground, where both occupants exited the vehicle and attempted to flee on foot.
According to a pair of campers from Louisiana, who were staying overnight while traveling home, one suspect was quickly apprehended near their RV site. They described a tense and chaotic scene as officers worked to subdue the individual, who allegedly resisted arrest while commands were issued.
The second suspect fled further, crossing the main gravel walking trail that parallels the gorge and connects several recreational paths. Witnesses said the individual then jumped over a black metal fence bordering the trail and fell an estimated 50 to 60 feet into a lower section of the gorge area.
Officers immediately initiated life-saving measures and called for support from the Gadsden Fire Department and emergency medical personnel. First responders accessed the location using the wooden stairways leading into the gorge in an effort to reach the individual as quickly as possible. Despite those efforts, the suspect was pronounced dead at the scene due to injuries sustained in the fall.
Campers who witnessed or were nearby during the incident described an initially confusing and alarming situation. One couple, frequent visitors to the campground, said they initially mistook the sound of sirens and activity for background noise from their television before realizing the events were unfolding nearby. Others acknowledged the fear caused by the sudden disruption but praised the swift and professional response by law enforcement, noting that officers worked to secure the area and reassure those present.
Authorities have not yet released the identities of the individuals involved. The investigation remains ongoing, and additional details are expected to be made public as they become available.
