From Chief P.K. Johnson
Millbrook Police Department
On Friday, December 20, 2024, at approximately 11:50 a.m., a Millbrook police officer attempted to make a traffic stop at Alabama Highway 143, just south of Alabama River Parkway. The vehicle, driven by Nazheer F. Lewis, 23, of Montgomery, was a 2019 Dodge Charger. The pursuit continued southbound on Highway 143 with the driver refusing to stop. The vehicle finally pulling over just south of River Oaks Road. As the officer exited his vehicle, the vehicle pulled off at a high rate of speed, continuing to I-65.
The vehicle continued southbound on I-65 into Montgomery, at times accelerating to speeds in excess of 100 miles per hour. The vehicle continued southbound to the exit at Edgemont Avenue, where the driver attempted to abruptly cross several traffic lanes to exit onto Edgemont Avenue, at which point he lost control of the vehicle striking the exit barrier. The driver immediately fled the wreckage, running into the wood line and adjacent neighborhood. Millbrook officers pursued the offender on foot and were able to apprehend the individual after a brief foot pursuit. The offender was taken into custody without incident or injury.
Nazheer F. Lewis was placed under arrest, being charged with Felony Attempting to Elude, Unlawful Marijuana 1st Degree, Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Reckless Endangerment (4 Counts) and numerous traffic violations. Lewis was transported to the Elmore County Jail, where he remains pending warrants being obtained and served.
We were extremely fortunate that no one was killed or injured because of this individual’s reckless actions. It was obvious that he had no intention of stopping and had no regard for his own life or anyone else that was travelling the roads in his path. After speaking with our officers, I’m not sure how the offender walked away from this collision uninjured, much less having the ability to continue to lee on foot following the collision with the barrier he struck.
I appreciate the diligence and professionalism shown by our officers that were involved in this incident, who were able to apprehend this young man without incident. I’m extremely thankful that this incident ended with no one injured and the only property loss being the offender’s vehicle. If there’s anyone that deserves to spend Christmas (for the foreseeable future) incarcerated, it’s this individual. The Good Lord was watching over a lot of people today and for that we are thankful.
