By Staff Reports
FORT PAYNE, Ala. — At approximately 1:10am on Thursday morning, June 20th, Lieutenant Matt Wilson attempted to stop a vehicle for a driving violation in the area of 15th Street and Grand Ave N.
The vehicle stopped for a moment and then accelerated at a high rate of speed attempting to elude Lieutenant Wilson.
After several maneuvers on Forest Ave, North Y, Gault Ave and 18th Street N, the vehicle turned onto Beason Gap East. The vehicle then tried to turn on Lincoln Ave and struck a guide wire attached to a power pole. The vehicle then left the scene and continued south onto Lincoln Ave. The driver, later identified as Leon Dale Watson, age 23 of Fort Payne attempted to walk away from the vehicle as it came to a stop.
Mr. Watson would not comply with officers loud verbal commands and was put to the ground as he physically tried to resist officers as they tried to take him into custody. Lt. Wilson stated Mr. Watson had a strong odor of alcohol coming from his person.
Watson was arrested on the following charges, DUI, Resisting Arrest, Reckless Endangerment, Fleeing or Attempting to Elude Law Enforcement, Possession of Marijuana 2nd degree, and a warrant with the Dekalb County Sheriff’s Office. Watson was issued several citations for the moving violations that occurred while he was attempting to elude the officers.