At approximately 1:00am Thursday (June 20th) – Lieutenant Matt Wilson with the Ft Payne Police Department attempted to stop a vehicle for a driving violation in the area of Grand Avenue North and 15th Street.  The vehicle stopped momentarily – then accelerated at a high rate of speed in an attempt to elude Lieutenant Wilson.  After several maneuvers on Forrest Avenue at the North Y, Gault Avenue and 18th Street North, the vehicle turned onto Beason Gap East.   The driver then attempted to turn onto Lincoln Avenue, and struck a guide wire attached to a power pole before coming to a stop on Lincoln. 

At that point 23 year old Leon Dale Watson of Ft Payne bailed out of the vehicle and started to walk away, ignoring commands from officers to stop.  He was then put to the ground and tried to physically resist as he was taken into custody.

Lieutenant Wilson stated that he detected a strong odor of alcohol coming from Watson.

Watson was arrested on charges of DUI, Resisting Arrest, Reckless Endangerment, Fleeing or Attempting to Elude Law Enforcement Officials, Unlawful Possession of Marijuana 2nd Degree and a warrant with the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office.  He was also issued a number of citations for moving violations that occurred while attempting to elude the officers.