Coweta County deputy killed by Lanett police officer in high-speed chase in Chambers Co.

ALEA released a statement on the incident
Coweta County deputy killed in high-speed chase in Chambers Co.
Coweta County deputy killed in high-speed chase in Chambers Co.(Source: Coweta Co. Police Department)
Published: Jan. 4, 2024 at 8:40 AM EST|Updated: Jan. 4, 2024 at 5:29 PM EST

CHAMBERS COUNTY, Ala. (WTVM) - A Coweta County deputy is now dead after being hit by a police car in a high-speed chase late Wednesday night.

The ALEA has released a press release regarding a multi-vehicle crash that led to the death of Coweta County Deputy Sheriff Eric Minix.

According to officials, the multi-vehicle crash occurred just before midnight on Wednesday, January 3 on I-85 near mile marker 78, approximately one mile south of Lanett.

They say Minix was fatally injured when the 2017 Ford Explorer patrol vehicle driven by 28-year-old Cornelius J. Robinson struck Minix as he was exiting his patrol vehicle, the 2017 Dodge Charger.

Officials say after the initial impact, the Explorer then struck the 2017 Dodge Charger before hitting the 2022 Dodge Challenger driven by Decedric Donson, 25.

Robinson is an officer with the Lanett Police Department, they say he was responding to assist Deputy Eric Minix, who was in pursuit of Decedric Donson and the 2022 Dodge Challenger, which was stolen.

They say Minix was transported to East Alabama Medical Center-Lanier in Valley, where he was pronounced deceased.

The agencies that responded to the incident are as follows:

  • 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).

Officials say that deputies with that Chamber’s County Sheriff’s Office arrested Donson and charged him with the following:

  • Receiving Stolen Property in the (First Degree)
  • Felony Attempting to Elude

Donson was placed in the Chambers County Jail.

Decedric Donson
Decedric Donson(Source: Chambers County Sheriff's Office)

The Coweta County Sheriff’s Office talked about the incident on their Facebook Page.

Deputy Minix leaves behind a wife and three daughters.

Stay with us on-air and online as we continue to gather more details.