Man arrested after driving car into cemetery
Man arrested after driving car into cemetery
The Adel Police Department gave the following account of the early Saturday morning incident during which a driver caused considerable damage in Woodlawn City Cemetery in Adel:
At 3:10 a.m. Saturday, officers with the Adel Police Department were dispatched to the 600 block of South Forrest Avenue in reference to a male subject screaming outside of a residence.
Upon arrival by officers, they located the subject, Jack Whatley, 52 years old of Adel, sitting inside a car continuously pressing the brakes, jerking his body back and forth, and screaming. Whatley was requested by the officers several times to exit his car, but would not comply or acknowledge officers. Whatley cranked up the vehicle and began to repeatedly rev the engine full throttle while still jerking his body back and forth and screaming.
After several unsuccessful attempts by officers to gain entry to the car, Whatley suddenly placed the car in gear and lunged it forward with the wheels turned towards an APD Officer who was standing on the side of the car.
Whatley then drove out of his driveway onto Forrest Avenue, striking the front of a patrol unit. Whatley then proceeded northbound on Forrest Avenue at a high rate of speed.
Officers attempted to catch up with Whatley, who was already several blocks ahead of them. As officers rounded the curve near the intersection of Fifth Street and Forrest Avenue, they discovered that Whatley had run off the road at the intersection of Fifth Street and Forrest Avenue, and travelled a distance through the Woodlawn City Cemetery.
When officers arrived at the scene of the crash, they found Whatley still sitting in his car. Whatley was taken into custody without incident and is being held in the Cook County Jail on multiple charges including obstruction of law enforcement officers, leaving the scene of an accident with damage, assault on a peace officer, interference with government property, fleeing or attempting to elude police, and driving under the influence. Additional charges are pending. Charges will be added for the damage in the cemetery.
Anyone who has damaged property in Woodlawn City Cemetery, or knows someone with damaged property, is asked to contact the Adel Police Department or Cook County E-911 as soon as possible.
Adel’s Police Chief Audie Rowe wishes to thank the Cook County Sheriff’s Office and the Georgia State Patrol for their assistance in this incident. He also sends the agency’s thoughts and prayers to the families affected.
