Man attempts to run over police officer, leads authorities on high-speed chase

Published 1:34 pm Monday, January 4, 2016

A Georgiana man has been charged with attempting to murder a Greenville Police officer and then leading authorities on a high-speed chase.

A Georgiana man has been charged with attempting to murder a Greenville Police officer and then leading authorities on a high-speed chase.

A Georgiana man has been charged with attempting to murder a Greenville Police officer and then leading authorities on a high-speed chase.

Donavan Jamal Colley, 31, was arrested after he allegedly attempted to run over a Greenville Police officer in the parking lot of Waffle House in the early morning hours of Dec. 26.

According to Capt. Justin Lovvorn, Sgt. Kenneth Hadley and Officer Thomas Halford observed Colley in the parking lot and believed the 2nd Judicial Drug Task Force had warrants for his arrest.

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Halford confronted Colley, who provided authorities with a false name. When asked to provide identification, Colley began to drive away.

“As Sgt. Hadley was walking toward the vehicle, the suspect began to pull away,” Lovvorn said. “Sgt. Hadley was closer to the exit of the parking lot and when the suspect saw him blocking his exit, he gunned his vehicle toward him. Sgt. Hadley attempted to jump out of the way and the suspect veered the vehicle toward him.”

Hadley suffered minor injuries after being knocked to the pavement.

After fleeing the restaurant, Colley led authorities on a high-speed chase along Interstate 65 North that ended near Fort Deposit.

“Our officers had radioed ahead to the Fort Deposit Police Department for assistance, and when the suspect got to the exit, he exited at about 100 mph and went across Hwy. 185 and back onto the interstate, and nearly struck the Fort Deposit Police officer that was responding,” Lovvorn said. “Officers continued to pursue him and a few miles later he pulled over.”

Along with attempted murder, Colley is being charged with attempting to elude a police officer and giving a false name to law enforcement. Lovvorn said Colley has also been charged two counts of unlawful distribution of a controlled substance in an unrelated case.