Officer: Cross was going more than 60 mph in 35 zone when he hit Pollard

Correction: This story was updated to correct an error concerning the rate of speed an officer said William Cross was driving at the time of the crash.

The man charged in the April 18 wreck that killed Carver baseball coach David Pollard was being chased prior to the three-vehicle crash, according to testimony early Thursday in Columbus Recorder’s Court.

William C. Cross, 19, pleaded not guilty to homicide by vehicle, murder and theft by taking motor vehicle, fleeing to elude and a slew of traffic violations. He was ordered held in the Muscogee County Jail without bond.

Officer Garrett Williams said a woman saw a black male stranger later identified as Cross enter her neighbor’s silver 2007 Audi in the 1800 block of Somerset Avenue. She told her husband, and they both followed him in a vehicle.

The couple told authorities they followed the man to South Lumpkin Road, where they notified police about the incident. The woman took photos of the black man in the stolen vehicle before the couple continued to follow him as he headed to Buena Vista Road.

Williams said Officer W. Hayward spotted the stolen vehicle on Buena Vista Road and attempted to perform a traffic stop on the Audi. That’s when Cross allegedly fled the scene at a high-rated speed, heading west on Buena Vista Road, according to police testimony.

Hayward said he stopped at David Circle when he determined that the roadway was too congested and unsafe, Williams testified.

Another officer saw the stolen vehicle and witnessed the crash.

According to police, Cross failed to stop at a red light and struck Pollard’s silver Chevrolet sedan, which then struck the left side of the Chevy Impala. The suspect allegedly left on foot, going south on Andrews Road, said Sgt. Fred Carnes.

Police said that Cross was staying at Value Place hotel on Victory Drive with his mother and one sibling after fleeing the scene. A witness said the mother knew Cross was involved in the crash at the time, but police are still investigating that accusation.

This story was originally published May 5, 2016 at 10:44 AM with the headline "Officer: Cross was going more than 60 mph in 35 zone when he hit Pollard."