A Columbia man was jailed late Monday after leading police on a nearly 10-mile chase at speeds reaching 100 mph before crashing into trees off Mississippi 13 South.
The incident started when Gary Neal, 37, was allegedly chasing his wife, who was in another car, around the police station while driving a van.
Now he’s charged with domestic violence, simple assault on a law enforcement officer, felony fleeing and DUI (third offense), according to Columbia Police Department Capt. Johnny Barnes.
Neal was also held on a $1,520.50 contempt of court bond after the incident.
Bond on the other charges had not been set as of deadline.
“We got a call from a frantic female that she was being chased,” Barnes said. “The female was his wife, and there had been an altercation. He was chasing her around the police station when we received the call. Both were in separate vehicles.”
The incident took a turn for the worse as officers attempted to stop Neal, who was driving a beige van.
“He took off and headed down South High School Avenue,” Barnes said. “From there, he turned on Lumberton Road and he blew through the light at U.S. 98 and Mississippi 13. The pursuit continued down Mississippi 13 South and about nine miles down the road, his vehicle left the roadway and struck some trees.”
At that point, AAA Ambulance Service, Pine Burr Volunteer Fire Department and the South Marion Volunteer Fire Department were dispatched to the accident. The initial dispatch reported that the vehicle was on fire.
Barnes said Neal suffered minor injuries in the incident.
“When we looked in the vehicle, we found a number of beer cans,” he said. “We obtained a search warrant for his blood.”
Barnes said the incident could have been much worse.
“He reached speeds of 80 to 100 mph,” he said. “He tried to sideswipe a patrol car, though no patrol cars were damaged and no one was hurt. He was scratched up but didn’t have to go to the hospital for that.”
Neal remained in the Marion County Jail as of Tuesday.
Barnes said the investigation is continuing.
