A Fort Myers man is facing a slew of charges after attempting to elude authorities.
On Friday, April 8, around 3:40 P.M., 32-year-old David Howard Jr., of Fort Myers, Florida, was arrested by Crisp County deputies following a pursuit and drug bust.
Before his arrest, at 2:30 P.M., officers attempted to check Howard’s black Dodge Challenger that sat on Rockhouse Road.
According to authorities, Howard sped off and got onto the interstate (I75/GA 401), exited GA401/I75 at exit 99, and traveled east on HWY 300.
The Crisp County Sheriff’s Office says, he recklessly traveled at high rates of speed and into oncoming traffic within the city limits and throughout Crisp County.
Howard also attempted to hit deputies head-on.
The pursuit continued into Dooly County, where the Sheriff’s office deployed Stop Sticks on HWY 41 S near Lewis Mill Road.
After hitting the Stop Sticks, Howard continued south on HWY 41 and struck two vehicles while attempting to pass a motorist.
Following the collision, one victim was transported to Crisp Regional Hospital by Dooly County EMS.
Howard was also transported to the Hospital by Dooly County EMS for a routine check.
Howard and the victim are in stable condition.
Deputies recovered a bag containing many smaller bags of suspected fentanyl pills with a street value of approximately $300,000.00.
In addition to the pills, he also possessed a large amount of cash.
Dooly County Sheriff’s Office, Vienna Police Department, Cordele Police Department, Georgia State
Patrol and the Georgia Department of Public Safety Motor Carrier Compliance Division assisted in the pursuit.
Howard was charged with aggravated assault upon a peace officer, trafficking in schedule II narcotics, fleeing or attempting to elude, and numerous traffic violations.
Additional charges are pending, and Dooly County will also have charges against Howard.
The Ga. Bureau of Investigation Narcotics Unit is assisting in the investigation.