Emmons had warrants for arrest; steals truck tries to elude police before crashing into tree
Emmons
A 20-year old East Brewton man with warrants for his arrest was killed in a single-vehicle crash Friday night after fleeing police who then tried to pull him from the burning vehicle.
David Grey Emmons, 1500 Forrest Ave., crashed a stolen truck into a tree on Ridge Road about 9:40 p.m. Feb. 17. Following the crash the truck burst into flames as police officers attempted to free him from the wreckage.
East Brewton Police Chief Kenny Brazille said a call came into the police department before 5 p.m. Friday in reference to gun shots near Forrest Avenue. Brazille said officers responded but didn't find anyone and left the scene.
Brazille said a second call came in about a man in a yard on Forrest Avenue with a handgun. When officers arrived the subject, later identified as Emmons, ran into the woods.
Brazille noted the county had active warrants for Emmons' arrest on a failure to appear charge after Emmons had pleaded guilty to a robbery II charge and was on probation. Emmons pleaded guilty to the robbery II charge on April 1, 2022, and given a split sentence with sentencing suspended pending reviews each six months. Records show Emmons failed to appear for a review and warrants were issued for his arrest.
Brazille said a little later police received another call about a stolen pickup that was headed down Dailey Street.
An East Brewton police officer spotted the 2009 Dodge 1500 pickup truck and began following the vehicle and the officer turned on the emergency lights. Emmons, who was driving the stolen truck, turned on Duncan Street which was a dead end. The officer attempted to block the truck, but Emmons crossed the curb and drove through a yard and got onto Ridge Road.
Brazille said Emmons drove about 100 mph as he was fleeing. He said his officer's vehicle had a mechanical malfunction and stopped, but shortly cranked and the officer continued on Ridge Road and came up on the crash.
Brazille said Emmons, who was unresponsive, was trapped inside the vehicle and the vehicle caught on fire. The officer retrieved a fire extinguisher to put the fire out and the officer and a neighbor tried to pull Emmons out of the vehicle but the flames ignited again and they were were unable to get Emmons out of the vehicle before it was engulfed in flames.
A report from the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency noted that Emmons was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash and was pronounced dead at the scene.
Brazille said ALEA's highway patrol division is continuing the investigation.
