On September 28, just after 7:00 p.m., a Rankin County deputy observed a U-Haul moving truck traveling on Highway 80 in Pearl. The deputy attempted to stop the truck for a traffic violation.
Upon seeing the deputy activate his lights, the driver of the truck accelerated and began driving more aggressively in an attempt to evade law enforcement.
The driver of the truck, later identified as Jacky A. Blackwood, struck another vehicle as he continued from Pearl to Flowood. Officers from Pearl Police Department as well as Flowood Police Department assisted in the chase as Blackwood continued through Flowood towards the Reservoir area.
While on Spillway Rd., other deputies assisting with the pursuit were able to successfully deploy spike strips in an attempt to bring the pursuit to an end. Blackwood then got back on Highway 25 heading south back towards Flowood, then lost control of the truck and flipped the vehicle on its side.
Blackwood and his passenger, Valerie Shepard, were both taken into custody and taken to the Rankin County Jail. Both are charged with felony fleeing. District Attorney Bubba Bramlett will bring both before Rankin County Court Judge Kent McDaniel for an initial appearance.
Blackwood also has warrants out of South Carolina. Rankin County Sheriff Bryan Bailey would like to thank the local law enforcement agencies for their assistance in this matter.
