Alabama DB Tony Mitchell was evading police at 141 mph: ‘Punch it’
from Andrew Kulha, with YardBarker.com/www.yardbarker.com
Alabama freshman defensive back Tony Mitchell was arrested last Wednesday in Florida and charged with possession of marijuana with intent to sell and/or distribute.
According to a police report obtained by AL.com, Mitchell was reportedly driving as fast as 141 miles per hour in an attempt to evade the police, accompanied by a passenger by the name of Christopher Lewis. The police found more than $7,000 in cash and 226 grams of marijuana as well as a loaded gun in the vehicle. Lewis was charged with the same marijuana crimes as Mitchell but was also charged with carrying a concealed firearm without a permit.
“March 15, 2023, at approximately 22:27, Cpl. W. Strickland and I were sitting stationary at Highway 79 north of Harvey Carter Road,” the sheriff’s deputy wrote in the arrest report. “I observed a Dodge Challenger black in color traveling south on Highway 79 appearing to be traveling over the posted speed limit of 55 miles per hour. By utilizing my Stalker Dual Radar’s front radar antenna, I was able to confirm the vehicle’s speed at 78 miles per hour.
“Activated my head/tail lights and conducted a U-turn in an attempt to initiate a traffic stop, the vehicle accelerated to a high rate of speed. I activated my emergency lights and siren then notified Dispatch that I was in pursuit of a Dodge Challenger. The vehicle accelerated over 141 miles per hour.”
After detailing the arrest and saying that Mitchell’s eyes appeared to be “red and glazy” and that he “appeared to have a slow and/or delayed response answering questions,” the officer wrote the following:
“Mr. Mitchell was informed of his Miranda warnings and denied possession of the marijuana, set of scales, pills, and firearm, however admitting to fleeing law enforcement, claiming Mr. Lewis told him to ‘punch it.’”
Mitchell, who went to Thompson High School in Alabaster, Ala., was immediately suspended by head coach Nick Saban.
“Everybody’s got an opportunity to make choices and decisions,” Saban said, per a previous AL.com report. “There’s no such thing as being in the wrong place at the wrong time.”
At 6-foot-1, 205 pounds, Mitchell was ranked as the No. 9 safety recruit as well as the 123rd overall recruit in the 2023 recruiting class, per the 247Sports Composite.