High-speed pursuit stops traffic on I-65 through Montgomery, Prattville

Hadley Hitson, Montgomery Advertiser
·1 min read
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An elevated law enforcement presence stopped traffic on I-65 southbound through Montgomery on Thursday afternoon. The cause was a high-speed police pursuit that resulted in three car crashes.

At approximately 2:26 p.m., state troopers initiated a traffic stop on a stolen 2018 Dodge Ram 3500 pickup truck on Interstate 65 southbound at the 185 mile marker in Autauga County, according to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency. The driver of the Dodge Ram attempted to escape the troopers, and subsequently, a pursuit ensued.

A statement from ALEA said the driver of the Dodge truck caused two traffic crashes while speeding away from law enforcement. The truck eventually crashed and overturned near the 173 mile marker in Montgomery County at approximately 2:38 p.m., about 12 minutes after the chase began.

A screen capture of the ALDOT traffic livestream shows law enforcement gathered on I-65 near the Northern Boulevard exit at 2:55 p.m.
A screen capture of the ALDOT traffic livestream shows law enforcement gathered on I-65 near the Northern Boulevard exit at 2:55 p.m.

Traffic cameras from the Alabama Department of Transportation showed cars backed up going south and north near the Northern Boulevard exit. Local police and state troopers were on the scene, as well as an ambulance where a vehicle appeared to have crashed.

Officials shut down a portion of the interstate indefinitely, starting at exit 179 on Cobbs Ford Road, Prattville Police Chief Mark Thompson confirmed to the Montgomery Advertiser around 3p.m. He said southbound traffic was being redirected to Highway 31 or across the toll bridge in Montgomery.

By 4:30 p.m., law enforcement opened one lane of southbound traffic on I-65. Two lanes remain closed. ALEA advised drivers "to use caution when traveling in the area."

Maj. Saba Coleman, the Montgomery Police Department's public information officer, did not comment on the situation, deferring to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency.

Hadley Hitson covers children's health, education and welfare for the Montgomery Advertiser. She can be reached at hhitson@gannett.com. To support her work, subscribe to the Advertiser.

This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: Law enforcement shuts down traffic on I-65 through Montgomery