STARKVILLE – Two people were arrested on felony charges after leading police on a vehicle pursuit that ended in a crash.
Lanforth Lee, 36, of Shuqualak, is charged with felony failure to stop motor vehicle when signaled. Gina Hill, 38, of Columbus, is charged with felony accessory after the fact, according to a Starkville Police Department press release.
SPD was conducting a driver’s license checkpoint Friday near the intersection of Highway 389 and Garrard Road when a vehicle, allegedly driven by Lanforth, evaded the checkpoint and fled from officers.
A vehicle pursuit was initiated but “due to the totality of the circumstances” was ended, and “a short time later” Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office found the vehicle wrecked on North Frontage Road between Columbus and Starkville, the press release said.
Sgt. Brandon Lovelady, SPD public information officer, did not respond to calls or text messages from The Dispatch questioning how long the pursuit lasted, how soon after the crash occurred and whether Hill was a passenger in the vehicle.
Starkville Police Chief Mark Ballard and Lowndes County Sheriff Eddie Hawkins also did not return calls from The Dispatch.
The press release urged anyone with information about this incident to contact SPD at (662) 323-4131, Golden Triangle Crime Stoppers at (800) 530-7151 or submit an anonymous tip through the SPD website. Crime Stoppers may offer a cash reward.
McRae is a general assignment and education reporter for The Dispatch.
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Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 30 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
