High-speed pursuit lands one in jail

A Defuniak Springs man has been arrested in Washington County after stealing a vehicle from Bay County and leading law enforcement on a pursuit followed by a short foot chase.

At approximately 7:39 p.m. Thursday, the Washington County Sheriff Office was notified of the stolen vehicle from Bay County. A dark colored Dodge Ram matching the description was seen traveling north on State Road 79. A deputy attempted a traffic stop but the driver proceeded north failing to yield. 

The pursuit continued through the city limits of Vernon at fluctuating speeds in excess of 115 mph and abruptly changing lanes. The deputy narrowed in on the subject and the pursuit continued until deputies deployed spike strips near Clayton Rd. The spike strips successfully immobilized the vehicle, decreasing the speed. The vehicle turned westbound on Douglas Ferry Road and the driver lost control causing it to crash. 

The driver then vacated the vehicle and continued to flee on foot. Washington and Holmes CI K-9 teams were notified and within minutes, 24-year-old Caleb Sterling Coleman was taken into custody.

Coleman was booked into the Washington County Jail and charged with fleeing/eluding, resisting an officer and leaving the scene of an accident. Additional charges are pending from Bay County.