By Marla Jones, Managing Editor • marla@southerntorch.com

FORT PAYNE, Ala. — On August 7, 2018, a resident on Valley View Avenue reported a suspicious truck in a neighbor’s driveway. The neighbor had described the suspect as a heavy, white female that went into the carport and picked something up. The suspect left with the item.

Officer Ray Morales of the Fort Payne Police Department spotted the vehicle and attempted to stop it, but was unable to before the suspect turned onto Highway 11 north outside of the city limits. Several police agencies joined in the chase that eventually crossed into the State of Georgia.

The chase ended in Trenton, Ga. where Major Tommy Bradford of the Dade County Sheriff's Office was critically injured while laying out spike strips.

Lora Leeanne Wooten, 35 of Henagar, faced several charges in Alabama and Georgia including: burglary, five counts of attempted assault on a police officer, an attempt to elude law enforcement, criminal littering, tampering with evidence, reckless endangerment, and numerous traffic violations.

On January 10, 2019, Wooten appeared in a Georgia court to face charges stemming from Major Tommy Bradford being struck while laying down spike strips. She was charged with 19 counts and entered a guilty plea.

Wooten was sentenced to 40 years behind bars. She is required to serve 15 years and her jail time started immediately.