Northport Police Officer Injured, Suspect In Custody After Pursuit

NORTHPORT, AL — The Northport Police Department says a suspect is in custody following a high-speed pursuit on Highway 69 North Wednesday afternoon that saw one NPD officer injured during the incident.

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NPD Assistant Chief Keith Carpenter told Patch that the Tuscaloosa County Sheriff's Office contacted NPD around 3:36 p.m., requesting backup for a traffic stop in the 200 block of McFarland Boulevard at The Wharf. The driver was reportedly identified as having outstanding felony arrest warrants.

Roughly 30 minutes after the driver was pulled over, Carpenter said the driver attempted to flee the area in the vehicle.

A Northport Police officer, attempting to keep the suspect from leaving, was reportedly dragged by the vehicle, suffering lacerations and "road rash."

"As the Deputy and NPD officer attempted to get Johnson out of the car he resisted and turned the vehicle toward their direction as he accelerated away," said Captain Marty Sellers of the Tuscaloosa Violent Crimes Unit. "The officers were thrown to the pavement as he fled."

Thankfully, the injured officer is expected to make a full recovery.

The suspect driver was eventually stopped near Union Chapel Road and Martin Road, Carpenter said, and was taken into custody without incident.

Sellers said 32-year-old Jeremi Johnson, of Cedar Hill, Texas, was charged with second degree assault and a hold was placed on him for his felony warrants.

The Tuscaloosa Violent Crimes Unit has assumed the investigation.

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