A Cherokee County Sheriff’s Deputy initiated a traffic stop on East Main Street in Centre this morning at around 3:15 AM. When the deputy went to make the stop, the driver of the black BMW attempted to elude the deputy. Centre Police joined to assist, and the suspect initiated a high speed chase in the direction of Gadsden.

Shortly after the initial contact, the suspect was observed throwing, as of now, unidentified objects from the car. The chase continued into Etowah County, into the North Gadsden Area, where Etowah County Deputies joined in to assist. Sometime near 3:30 AM the pursuit ended when the vehicle crashed in the area of 411 and Hooks Lake Road. Gadsden Officers were in place to attempt to end the pursuit with stop sticks, but the subject lost control and wrecked before they reached the officers.

According to Chief Deputy Josh Summerford of the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office, Brent Swindle, 35, of Birmingham was the driver of the vehicle. Swindle was taken to a local hospital for treatment following his losing control of the vehicle and crashing. He was treated and released, and booked for Driving Under the Influence, Attempting to Elude, Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance, and Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.  He is currently in custody of the Cherokee County Detention Center.