Joshua Johnson, 32, is in jail after allegedly leading a Douglas police officer on a chase through town on Friday, April 14, 2023. After Johnson, who was allegedly impaired at the time, finally stopped, the officer found illegal drugs in the vehicle.
According to a DPD incident report, an officer saw a black Chevrolet Impala turn on West Baker Highway off South College Avenue. The vehicle turned into the outside lane, states the report, which led the officer to conduct a traffic stop for improper turn. The report says that the vehicle stopped briefly then took off, disregarding the red light at South Peterson Avenue and West Baker Highway. The vehicle turned into the Circle K parking lot then made a left on South Madison Avenue. The Impala continued north, turned into the Napa Auto Parts parking lot to South Peterson Avenue and then turned right on West Cherry Street. From there, the chase continued to South College Avenue, South Daughtry Avenue, and eventually to West Phillips Street. The Impala finally stopped at 420 West Phillips Street.
The officer arrested Johnson, who, the report says, smelled like he had been drinking. Johnson was taken to the Coffee County Jail while officers searched the Impala. They found a half empty bottle of tequila and a plastic container with 49 suspected ecstasy tablets inside. The tablets tested positive for methamphetamine.
During an interview at the jail, Johnson stated that he didn’t know initially that he was being pulled over. But when he finally figured out what was going on, he decided to at least get the car home. The report also states that Johnson refused a blood test. He said he wasn’t drunk but he was “high as f***.”
Johnson was charged with fleeing and attempting to elude, possession of a Schedule I Controlled Substance, driving under the influence of drugs, driving with a suspended license, and a host of traffic offenses. He remains in the Coffee County Jail.