Georgia deputy fatally struck by Alabama police car in high-speed chase across state lines

A Georgia sheriff's office deputy died Thursday after authorities said a police officer from another agency ran him over on an interstate during a high-speed police chase that crossed state lines.

Coweta County Sheriff's Office Deputy Eric Minix died in the line of duty while pursuing a stolen vehicle on Interstate 85 that sped into Chambers County, Alabama, the sheriff’s office reported.

Minix, 31,was struck by a City of Lanett Police Department vehicle driven by Officer Cornelius J. Robinson, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency confirmed to USA TODAY. Officials from multiple agencies in both states were involved in the pursuit.

Lanett is located in Alabama along the Chattahoochee River on the Alabama-Georgia state line, roughly 80 miles northeast of Montgomery.

According to state law enforcement, Robinson struck Minix as he was exiting his patrol vehicle, a 2017 Dodge Charger. After the initial impact, officials said, the Explorer struck the Charger before hitting a 2022 Dodge Challenger driven by Decedric Donson, 25, of Pensacola, Fla.

Minix was taken to a hospital where he was pronounced dead, the sheriff's office reported.

Officials said the vehicle driven by Donson was reportedly stolen. Donson was arrested on charges of receiving stolen property and felony attempting to elude law enforcement.

He remained jailed Thursday in Chambers County.

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Stolen vehicle suspect in custody, police say

Lanett police reported its officer has been placed on administrative leave pending an investigation and said the stolen car driver is in custody.

"Please keep all involved in your thoughts and prayers," Lanett police posted on Facebook.

'We have lost a good man'

State law enforcement said the crash remained under investigation Thursday.

Additional charges are likely pending in the case.

Minix previously worked for the Tyrone Police Department before joining Coweta County Sheriff's Office.

"Eric Minix was a dedicated Deputy and K9 Officer, but more importantly, he was a friend," the agency released in a a statement. "We have lost a good deputy. We have lost a good man. We have lost a good friend."

Minix, the sheriffs office reported, leaves behind a wife and three daughters.

Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at [email protected] and follow her on X @nataliealund.