A Crawford man is in custody after taking a Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office deputy vehicle on a joyride that ended in Noxubee County.
Marcus Darnell White was arrested Friday afternoon and charged with leaving the scene of an accident, driving on the wrong side of the road, expired drivers license, driving under the influence and reckless driving. Sheriff Eddie Hawkins said he expects more charges.
“There’s a whole bunch of charges they put on him,” Hawkins said. “I think they’re going to be coming once we figure everything out and get with the (district attorney’s) office and all of that. Felony taking of a motor vehicle I’m sure will be one of the charges, destruction of county property.”
A LCSO deputy responded to a one car accident Friday around 2 p.m. in which an intoxicated driver struck a bridge. The driver, White, allegedly left the scene and began walking down the road, Hawkins said.
The deputy got out of his vehicle to follow on foot, then Hawkins said White looped back around and got into the vehicle which led deputies and Mississippi Highway Patrol into Noxubee County. Noxubee County Sheriff’s Office and Macon Police Department eventually stopped the pursuit.
Hawkins said the vehicle’s airbags deployed, but he is unsure of the extent of the damage. He said the deputy whose vehicle was taken will not be placed under administrative leave or face disciplinary action.
“Everybody’s fine,” Hawkins said. “… (The deputy) didn’t do anything wrong. He just got out to check with the guy, and the guy ran off in the woods. (The deputy) ran behind him and evidently (White) circled back around and got in the car and drove off.”
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