Man arrested after vehicular chase in Clanton

Published 1:08 pm Friday, December 27, 2013

A Clanton man was arrested on multiple charges Wednesday after leading law enforcement on a 10-minute vehicular chase in Clanton.

Clarke Smith, 44, was arrested on charges of driving under the influence, attempting to elude law enforcement, reckless driving and improper lane usage.

On Dec. 25 at about 11:30 p.m., Clanton Police Department patrol officer Patrick Quinley attempted to stop a silver Chevy C1500 pickup for a traffic violation on Fourth Avenue.

Quinley said as he turned around to make his traffic stop, the pickup accelerated in the opposite direction.

The vehicle continued to refuse to stop on County Road 75 and attempted to make the turn on County Road 427.

“Officer Quinley slowed on County Road 75 and noticed skid marks near County Road 427,” Clanton Police Chief Brian Stilwell said. “When he turned on 427, he found the vehicle upside down in the middle of the road.”

Rescue was called to check on the driver, who was identified as Smith.

Smith was arrested and transported to Chilton County Jail, where he was held on a $2,500 bond. He has been released from jail.

“We are glad no one was seriously injured in this incident,” Stilwell said.