Suspect’s probation revoked after leading police on high-speed chase

A Covington County man who led Andalusia Police Officers on a high-speed chase through the city has been sent to prison after his probation was revoked in a hearing last week.

Wyatt Vogail Sexton

Wyatt Vogail Sexton, 32, of McKenzie was arrested for felony attempt to elude, driving under the influence, and reckless endangerment.

While on patrol, Officer Harrison Wells of the Andalusia Police Department initiated a traffic stop on Sexton’s vehicle. Instead of pulling over for the traffic stop, Sexton fled, according to the charges. Officials said he sped through traffic on MLK Expressway and turned onto Prestwood Bridge Road, reaching speeds of up to 90 mph. Concerned for the safety of the residents of the area, Officer Wells stopped the chase. Minutes later, however, Officer Wells saw smoke not far ahead of him on Prestwood Bridge Road and found that Sexton had wrecked into a tree while fleeing.

“Thankfully, no one else was involved in the wreck,” expressed District Attorney Walt Merrell.

After being medically cleared, Sexton was arrested and transported to the Covington County Jail. He was on probation after being released from prison on a previous conviction. When Sexton’s probation officer learned Sexton had been arrested on new charges, the officer filed a petition with the Court stating that Sexton’s probation should be revoked, according to the district attorney.

Sexton remained in the jail on “no bond” pending his probation revocation hearing. At that hearing, District Attorney Merrell said the State was prepared to put Officer Wells on the stand to testify about the details of the high-speed chase. Sexton, however, decided to forego the hearing. Instead, he agreed that his probation ought to be revoked outright, and he was sentenced to serve the rest of his sentence in the Alabama Department of Corrections.

“When I learned of this arrest, I was upset because Sexton was previously sent to prison for taking another person’s life while he was driving impaired and in excess of the posted speed limit. It seems Mr. Sexton didn’t learn anything from being sent to prison. At least now he can’t hurt someone else,” said Merrell.

Merrell expressed his thanks to Officer Harrison Wells of the Andalusia Police Department for his quick action and concern for community safety during the chase. Merrell also expressed his thanks to Senior Probation Officer Nichole Appleyard and her office for their work in ensuring Sexton was detained for his probation violation.

“Sexton’s new charges are still pending, and I fully intend to prosecute him on those charges as well,” Merrell said.