Accident – death – Obituary News :

A devastating incident unfolded on Thursday morning as a multi-agency, high-speed chase on Interstate 85 led to the tragic death of a Coweta County sheriff’s deputy. The deputy, identified as Eric Minix, was fatally struck by a Lanett Police Department officer’s patrol vehicle during the pursuit.

The incident occurred at mile marker 78, just across the Alabama state line. According to a press release from the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA), the Lanett Police Department officer, Cornelius J. Robinson, 28, of Valley, was driving a 2017 Ford Explorer that collided with Minix, who had exited his 2017 Dodge Charger.

The fatal accident took place shortly before 1 a.m. ET, as reported by ALEA.

During an emotional press conference held on Thursday afternoon, Coweta County Sheriff Lenn Wood expressed the devastating loss, stating, “Eric was like family to each and every one of us. His whole family is.”

Minix leaves behind a wife and three daughters. He initially joined the Coweta County Sheriff’s Office in 2014 before serving at the Tyrone Police Department for five years. Minix then returned to the CCSO.

Sheriff Wood explained that stop sticks were deployed to halt the suspect vehicle as it entered Alabama. Minix parked his car behind the suspect’s vehicle and began issuing instructions. Unfortunately, an Alabama police agency vehicle was unable to stop in time, resulting in the collision with Minix.

Minix was rushed to East Alabama Medical Center in Valley, where he was pronounced deceased.

Sheriff Wood paid tribute to Minix, saying, “He was very much loved. He was a friend, a father, a son, a brother, but most of all, he was a law enforcement officer first. That’s all he ever wanted to do.”

Wood urged everyone to offer their prayers not only for Robinson and all the law enforcement agencies involved but also for the Lanett Police Department and the officer involved in the pursuit. He emphasized the importance of praying for the well-being of all the officers.

The suspect, identified as 25-year-old De’cedric Vonche Donson from Pensacola, Florida, was apprehended and arrested on charges of receiving stolen property in the first degree and felony attempting to elude. Donson was taken to the Chambers County Detention Center. Sheriff Wood revealed that the stolen vehicle was reported from Douglas County.

In unrelated charges, Donson had previously been arrested in Escambia County, Florida, in March 2020 for battery, dealing in stolen property involving a stolen firearm, possession of a firearm by a felon, resisting an officer, and a traffic violation. The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office stated that his place of residence was uncertain as he was listed as homeless on the arrest report.

The pursuit of the suspect’s vehicle involved multiple law enforcement agencies, including the Coweta County Sheriff’s Office, Troup County Sheriff’s Office, Grantville Police Department, Lanett Police Department, West Point Police Department, Chambers County Sheriff’s Office, and Georgia State Patrol (GSP).

Expressing their condolences, Troup County Sheriff James Woodruff issued a statement, saying, “Our hearts are heavy today as another Georgia law enforcement officer has lost their life in the line of duty. Earlier today, a Coweta County Deputy was killed in an automobile accident after the conclusion of a vehicle pursuit that ended in Alabama on Interstate 85. Multiple agencies were assisting on the scene, including our own deputies who immediately rendered aid to the injured deputy. We send our thoughts and prayers to Sheriff Lenn Wood, the staff of the Coweta County Sheriff’s Office, and the family and friends of the deputy.”