An Eatonton man who reportedly told officers he “panicked” when he saw them, led three law enforcement agencies on a chase through two counties and is currently facing a multitude of traffic-related charges in both counties.
Eric McMullen, 55, of Rabbit Skip Road, Eatonton, was arrested by Putnam authorities Nov.
26 on charges of possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime, DUI – driving under the influence of alcohol third offense, felony fleeing/attempting to elude police officer, fleeing/attempting to elude police officer more than 30 miles over the speed limit, two counts reckless driving, two counts driving while license suspended, three counts failure to stop for a stop sign, speeding 90 mph in a 55 mph zone, failure to obey person directing traffic, and (failure to move) for approaching authorized emergency vehicles.
Eatonton Police officer Hargrove Jones was assisting another officer by directing traffic around the scene of an accident on Oak Street around midnight on Nov. 23 when a black 2007 Ford Fusion sped past him, nearly hitting the officer in the process, according to Jones’ report of the incident.
Jones, wearing a bright yellow reflective vest, had to jump out of the way to avoid being hit by the car, which was being driven by McMullen.
When Jones yelled for him to stop, McMullen reportedly increased his speed, so Jones jumped in his patrol vehicle, turned on the blue lights and sirens and went after him. McMullen turned the Ford Fusion onto Recreation Road and turned off all the car’s lights and attempted to hide in a parking lot, but Jones saw him and they were quickly back on Oak Street, according to Jones’ report.
The chase continued, turning onto U.S. Hwy. 441 northbound where the speeds increased. Attempting to turn left on Glenwood Springs Road, McMullen “overshot his turn and caused a minor collision between his car and my patrol car,” Jones wrote. “We both paused for a moment before (he) sped off once more.”
The pursuit went on to Browns Chapel Road and then Highway 142 into Shady Dale, then Highway 83. By then, Jones had been joined by Eatonton police Sgt. James Gaither, a Putnam County Sheriff’s deputy, and Jasper County Sheriff’s deputies. All along the route, McMullen attempted to escape by driving on the wrong side of the road at times and passing vehicles in no passing zones, according to a report by Gaither.
“After several miles of trying to get the vehicle to stop due to the blue lights and sirens, he just continued to drive on towards Monticello,” Gaither wrote. “After topping the last hill before the city of Monticello, I observed blue lights ahead, which were Jasper County deputies.”
The pursuing officers were informed that Jasper deputies had set out spike strips in several places on the road.
McMullen drove over the spike strips, but the equipment’s pullback mechanism failed when the Jasper deputy attempted to remove it, so Jones and the other law enforcement officers assisting in the chase also went over the strips, deflating their tires as well as the offender’s.
In the few seconds before his tires deflated, McMullen turned into Oak Ridge Estates subdivision and stopped in the driveway of a residence, jumped out of his car and ran. Officer Gaither tackled him and while handcuffing him, McMullen said, “I’m sorry, I panicked.”
Gaither reportedly lost his eyeglasses while apprehending the offender, and the resident whose yard they were in brought out a flashlight and helped the officer find his glasses.
A search of the Ford Fusion revealed a Ruger 9mm in the console. Jasper County Sheriff’s Office arrested and took McMullen into custody on assorted charges there, and Eatonton Police Department placed a hold on him to face charges in its jurisdiction.
Jasper County Sheriff’s Office also replaced the tires of the Eatonton Police Department and Putnam County Sheriff’s Office vehicles that were deflated/damaged by the failed spike strips.