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Doug Knighten Jr
FLORENCE-The Florence Police Department issued a statement regarding the arrest of a suspect who has been charged with felony attempt tp elude along with other charges:
“On February 23, 2022, at approximately 12 PM, officers responded to a 911 call at 3622 Huntsville Road. Officers were stopped by a female who was upset due to her boyfriend, Doug Knighten, slashing her vehicle’s tires.
Officers then observed a male running towards a black Ford F-150. The male, Doug Knighten Jr, then drove directly at a patrol vehicle. The officer attempted to back out of the way and the truck struck the front of the patrol vehicle and left towards Huntsville road. Officers then got behind the truck as it turned onto Huntsville road. Knighten was driving extremely recklessly to get away from officers. Multiple times he entered the oncoming lane of traffic. He entered Veterans Park where he caused extensive damage to ball fields. The pursuit continued onto Cox Creek Parkway and into neighborhoods between Huntsville Road and Veterans Drive. Officers observed the truck attempting to run other officers off the road. Knighten failed to yield to a vehicle on Veterans drive and collided with it.
Knighten continued to drive away from the wreck and he then stuck a police vehicle. He then continued South bound. Officers then used a pit maneuver which didn’t stop the vehicle but slowed it down. Knighten continued South on Richards Street to the dead end of Riverside Street where he drove through a wooded area and stopped. He then fled on foot towards Wilson Lake. Knighten stayed on the river bank and continued to move West bound. Officers were able to talk Knighten into stopping due to the temperature of the water. Knighten was apprehended without further incident.
Douglas Knighten Jr was charged with Felony Attempt to Elude, Attempted Assault 1st Degree, Domestic Violence 3rd Degree, Criminal Michief 1st Degree, Felony Leaving the Scene of an Accident, and DUI. He is being held at the Lauderdale County Detention Center on a $23,000 bond.
*Douglas Knighten Jr is innocent until proven guilty*”
Sgt. Cliff Billingsley/Florence Police Department
