Georgia Man Gets Jail Time For High-Speed Chase In Pickens County

REFORM, AL — A judge has sentenced a Georgia man to six months in jail following a high-speed chase through Pickens County last October.

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24th Judicial Circuit District Attorney Andy Hamlin said on Friday that officers from every law enforcement agency in Pickens County were involved in the pursuit of Fredrick Hood Jr., 29, of Lithonia, Georgia on Oct. 2, 2022, when he refused to pull over during a traffic stop.

Hood allegedly went on to lead officers on a dangerous and winding chase more than 20 miles through Pickens County, Hamlin said.

At one point during the pursuit, one Pickens County Sheriff’s Office deputy clocked Hood driving 93 miles per hour in a 65 mph zone on U.S. Highway 82 — roughly seven miles from the state line.

While traveling east from Columbus, Mississippi, during the chase, Hood reportedly accelerated to more than 110 miles per hour, with two passengers later telling officers they asked him to stop and let them out. However, Hood refused the request.

Hamlin also said Reform Police Chief Richard Black was involved in a collision with another driver while pursuing Hood.

The district attorney went on to say that a Pickens County deputy deployed spike strips near the intersection of Reform and Kilpatrick streets in Carrollton, where Hood was finally taken into custody.

“This defendant showed no regard for the safety of the officers, the drivers he put in danger and
his own passengers who pleaded with him to stop,” Hamlin said. “Thankfully, no was injured or
killed as a result of his unlawful and incredibly dangerous actions. Assistant District Attorney Tim McCool did an excellent job ensuring this defendant will face consequences for putting so many people in danger.”

Hamlin said Hood pleaded guilty to unlawful imprisonment, reckless endangerment, attempting to elude law enforcement officers and speeding.

Hood began his six-month sentence in the Pickens County Jail on June 15 and is required to be on probation for two years after his release.

“I want to thank all of the law enforcement officers involved in this case,” McCool said. “After a
dangerous high-speed chase through the county that put their own lives and many others at risk,
these brave officers apprehended the suspect and he is now where he should be — in jail. These officers not only apprehended the suspect, but they arrived in court on the day of trial to testify. Seeing this caused the defendant to admit his guilt and go to jail. This type of conduct will not be tolerated in our county.”

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