Local Man Arrested after Fleeing Attempt

December 6, 2024

A Columbus resident is in custody after crashing his vehicle in an apparent attempt to evade a Columbus Police Department (CPD) officer. Around 1 a.m. on December 6, 2024, a CPD officer saw a Dodge Challenger and a Ford Mustang driving on 25^th Street traveling right next to each other. Believing the vehicles were getting ready to try to race, the officer turned to get behind them. Before the officer could catch up, the Challenger turned and began driving at a high rate of speed, committing several moving violations.

As the officer was still trying to catch up and stop the driver of the Challenger, the car attempted to turn north on Midway Street from 17^th Street. The vehicle was going too fast to make the turn and crashed into a tree in a nearby yard.

The driver, Jaylen Flemmons, 25, was taken into custody. The two passengers were uninjured and released. Officers found cocaine on Flemmons and a handgun near the driver’s seat. They also observed signs that Flemmons was intoxicated and an open beer inside the car.

Flemmons was arrested for reckless driving, a misdemeanor, operating a vehicle while intoxicated, a misdemeanor, and possession of cocaine with a firearm, a level 5 felony.

All charges are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.