Man pleads not guilty to endangering infant in high-speed chase

A 29-year-old man pleaded not guilty to leading police into a high-speed chase Thursday afternoon with an infant in the backseat of his car, according to testimony today in Columbus Recorder’s Court.

Columbus Police Officer Ryan Vardman said he attempted to perform a traffic stop on Arthur Dewayne Allen after the defendant ran a stop sign at the intersection of London Street and Gleason Avenue around 3:51 p.m. At the time, Allen was wanted on fleeing to elude and reckless driving warrants stemming from a previous high-speed chase.

The defendant, who was traveling in 1993 Honda Accord, continued to travel through the residential neighborhood East Urban Heights at a high-rated speed, Vardman told the court.

Police said he drove into oncoming traffic several times during the incident, nearly crashing into other vehicles.

Allen allegedly continued into Carver Park, where an unidentified front passenger with dreads jumped out of the car and fled. Shortly thereafter, the driver reportedly fled the car but was captured after a brief foot chase, Vardman testified.

Officials said they then saw a woman remove a 3-month old baby from vehicle. The baby was in the backseat of the car during the chase, police noted.

Allen pleaded not guilty to first-degree cruelty to children, reckless driving, fleeing and eluding, obstruction, driving with suspended license and no proof of insurance.

Judge Michael Cielinski ordered Allen held in the Muscogee County Jail under bonds totaling $63,400. The case was bound over to Superior Court.

This story was originally published March 15, 2016 at 4:47 PM with the headline "Man pleads not guilty to endangering infant in high-speed chase."