NCST Editor Citizen’s Traffic Complaint Leads to Incident
Initial Dispatch Audio
Just after 1 PM on August 29th, 2024, E911 received a call from a citizen driving on East Highway 16 near Brown Rd. The caller stated there was a Semi Truck headed east that was “all over the roadway.”
As the Semi was headed east into the City of Senoia, the call was dispatched to the Senoia Police Department.
As units attempted to intercept the Semi, dispatch updated them with further identifying information as well as current locations being relayed by callers.
Two separate SPD units would end up in the traffic behind the Semi, with the first following close behind him as he made it through the City and back into the county. This officer stated he saw no traffic infractions while inside the City Limits.
A second SPD unit, remained behind him as he exited the City and quickly informed dispatch that his driving had become very erratic and he was going to attempt to stop the Semi.
The Chase is On
When the officer activated their lights, the Semi continued driving erratically, speeding up and slowing down. At first, the officer was unsure if the vehicle was running from him or attempting to find a place to pull over. However as the chase continued, the Semi failed to pull over in areas that were safe and appropriately sized for the Semi.
This would continue for nearly 4 miles, crossing into Spalding County. Eventually, the Semi would have difficulty navigating the roundabout at Hollonville Rd. When the Semi came to a stop, the SPD officer took the opportunity to remove the driver at gunpoint.
Once the suspect was under arrest, units worked to remove the Semi from the roadway and began their investigation.
Investigation and Charges
The suspect, Lonnie Jennings III, 42, of Valdosta, was put through a Driving Under the Influence investigation that included an officer trained as a Drug Recognition Expert and was eventually taken from the scene for a blood draw before then being booked into the Coweta County Jail on the following charges.
The suspect, Lonnie Jennings III, 42, of Valdosta, was put through a Driving Under the Influence investigation that included an officer trained as a Drug Recognition Expert and was eventually taken from the scene for a blood draw before then being booked into the Coweta County Jail on the following charges.
DUI Drugs – Less Safe (M)
Failure to Maintain Lane (M)
Failure to Yield to Emergency Vehicle (M)
Records indicate that Jennings was being held on a bond of $1,981. They also indicate that Jennings was released from the Coweta County Jail on the night of August 31st, 2024
