Man dies by suicide after police chase from Opelika into Georgia, officials say
A man is dead after a police chase that started in Opelika, Alabama, Friday before the driver led officers into Georgia, according to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency.
The incident started at 1:20 p.m. Eastern Time, when Opelika police responded to a domestic violence call on Andrews Road. A woman told officers she was scared for her safety because she had been assaulted by her child’s father, 39-year-old Justin Scott Roberts, ALEA said.
Roberts had fled the scene in a Nissan Titan truck and had the child with him, ALEA said. He refused to stop when officers tried to halt him, leading to a chase through Opelika.
“Roberts was wanted for felony assault on a police officer, stemming from a previous incident, and due to the presence of a juvenile in the vehicle and concerns for their immediate safety, officers continued the pursuit onto I-85 North,” ALEA said in a news release. “The pursuit continued across the state line into Georgia, at which time Opelika Police Officers discontinued their pursuit, and Alabama and Georgia law enforcement agencies continued the pursuit along I-85 North.”
Georgia State Patrol joined the chase, and “successfully executed a PIT maneuver” to stop Roberts’ car, ALEA said. Before officers could approach Roberts’ car, he died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
“Deputies and Troopers were able to safely remove the child from the vehicle,” ALEA said. “The child appears unharmed but is being evaluated as a precaution.”
ALEA didn’t say exactly where the chase ended, but said the Troup County Sheriff’s Office and the Chambers County Sheriff’s Office also were involved in the chase.
If you or anyone you know is considering suicide, the national 988 Lifeline number has counselors to help. Call 988 to speak with a trained listener or visit 988lifeline.org for crisis chat services or more information.