Man in court after high-speed chase with child in vehicle
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JACKSON, Tenn. — A Jackson man faced a judge Tuesday, accused of leading police on a chase, slamming into patrol cars and crashing into a backyard, all while his 2-year-old was in the back seat. “There was really a big boom,” one witness said. “It scared me half to death.” Jackson police said they were conducting a routine traffic stop when it turned into a chase through the streets of west Jackson. “He could have just stopped and let the police do what they need to do instead of putting everyone else in danger,” said Gloria, who did not want us to use her last name. “He could have put a hole in my house.” Investigators said Dewayne Johnson fled after they pulled him over for a seat belt violation along North Highland Avenue. They said he then took off, driving erratically through Lambuth area neighborhoods. He eventually slammed into a patrol car and crashed through a fence into a backyard, according to investigators. “I told my grandson to get on the floor so nothing would happen to him,” Gloria said. “I came outside and saw the police car all damaged.” Witnesses said Johnson eventually was taken into custody close to where he crashed his car after fleeing the the crash and running through backyards up and down Lambuth Boulevard. “When the officer came up and tried to catch the guy, he ran up the street,” Gloria said. “He came back around and ran right by my cars.” Witnesses said the most shocking part of the chase is that Johnson’s 2-year-old was in the car the entire time. “That little baby, something could have happened to the baby,” Gloria said. “I feel sorry for him.” Investigators said no one was seriously injured during the chase, but residents said it was a close call. “I was just shaking because I didn’t know what he was going to do,” Gloria said. “He definitely could have came in the house.” Johnson is charged with six counts of reckless endangerment, felony evading by motor vehicle and evading arrest. He currently is being held in lieu of a $50,000 bond.
