Lucedale man charged after leading law enforcement on chase

April 12, 2024

WXXV Staff,

A Lucedale man is charged with fleeing from law enforcement after a high-speed chase in George County overnight.

George County Sheriff Mitchell Mixon said 28-year-old Austin Butler of Lucedale is charged with felony fleeing, DUI, possession of paraphernalia, possession of marijuana and several traffic violations. He was taken to the George County jail. No bond has been set pending an initial appearance.

Assistant chief Dominique Rufful said George County and MHP had a safety checkpoint set up at Highway 26 and Central Firetower Road. Butler was eastbound on Highway 26 about 10:40 p.m. when saw the checkpoint. Then he turned around and took off westbound and law enforcement pursued.

In trying to evade law enforcement, Rufful said, Butler took a back road and headed over a bridge, then left the roadway and hit a light pole, which caused it to fall.

Rufful said the pursuing MHP trooper apparently swerved to avoid the pole and crashed. The chase ended on Cochrantown Road. Minor injuries were reported.

Rufful said a passenger in Butler’s vehicle was released.

At the time of his arrest, Butler was out on a felony bond for a 2023 charge of armed robbery out of Moss Point. He also was charged with felony fleeing in a separate 2023 incident.