A 43 year old Alabama man is now residing in the Chattooga County Georgia Jail following a high speed chase which began in Ft Payne and ended in Menlo.

Chattooga County Sheriff Mark Schrader said that Dennis John Johnson fled from a Ft Payne Police Officer when he attempted to make a traffic stop.  That chase left Ft Payne and went through Valley Head and then Mentone on Highway 117 – eventually crossing the state line at Cloudland with the pursuit continuing on Highway 48. 

At one point Johnson struck a Ft Payne Police Officer’s Chevy Tahoe – causing the vehicle to overturn.  He then barreled down Lookout Mountain into Menlo with speeds reaching more than 80 mph.  Georgia law enforcement officials joined the chase and shortly thereafter, the pursuit finally came to an end when Johnson crashed near Ridge Street, going into a 20-foot ravine.

When he bailed out of the truck officers saw that he had a firearm; Johnson was tazed – and at that point, taken into custody.  He was charged with Commission of a Crime while in the Possession of Firearm, felony Fleeing/Attempting to Elude, Driving too Fast for Conditions, Driving with Suspended or Revoked License, Failure to Maintain a Single Lane and Reckless Driving.

He faces additional charges in Alabama.

Several law enforcement agencies took part in the apprehension of Johnson – including the Georgia State Patrol, Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office, Ft Payne Police, Mentone Police, the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office and Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office.

(AM1180 Chattooga County Radio)