LANETT, Ala. (WRBL) - A Chambers County grand jury has indicted former Lanett Police Officer Cornelius J. Robinson on allegations of criminally negligent homicide, a misdemeanor, for his role in the January 3rd crash that claimed the life of Coweta County Sheriff's Deputy Eric A. Minix.
Investigators tell WRBL Robinson, 28, of Valley, turned himself in to the Lanett Police Department on Friday after the indictment was issued. He is currently being held at the Chambers County Detention Facility, where he awaits court proceedings and the possibility of posting bond.
The crash, which occurred at approximately 11:55 p.m. on Interstate 85 near Lanett, Alabama, involved multiple vehicles. Investigators say Deputy Minix, 31, of Luthersville, Georgia, was in pursuit of a stolen 2022 Dodge Challenger driven by Decedric Donson, 25, of Pensacola, Florida. Robinson, driving a 2017 Ford Explorer patrol vehicle, was responding to assist Minix in the high-speed chase when the incident unfolded.
As Minix exited his patrol vehicle, a 2017 Dodge Charger, Robinson's Explorer struck him. The impact also caused the Explorer to crash into Minix's patrol vehicle before hitting Donson's Challenger. Minix was rushed to East Alabama Medical Center-Lanier in Valley, where he later succumbed to his injuries. Robinson resigned as an officer after the deadly crash.
"DS Eric Minix was a dedicated Deputy and K9 Officer, but more importantly, he was a friend to everyone who knew him. Eric leaves behind a loving wife and three daughters. We have lost a good deputy. We have lost a good man. We have lost a good friend," said the Coweta County Sheriff.
The indictment against Robinson alleges his actions leading up to the crash amounted to criminal negligence, resulting in the deadly collision.
Donson was arrested and charged with receiving stolen property and felony attempting to elude. Donson remains in custody at the Chambers County Jail. According to Alabama law "if flight or attempt to elude causes an actual death or physical injury to innocent bystanders or third parties, in which case the violation shall be a Class C felony."
Numerous law enforcement agencies, including the Coweta County Sheriff's Office, Georgia State Patrol, and the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA), responded to the scene. Troopers with ALEA's Highway Patrol Division continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash.
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