Macon man leads deputies on high-speed chase; meth found in stolen truck

A 26-year-old Macon man led Monroe County sheriff's deputies on a car chase that turned into a foot race after he crashed near the Bibb County line Monday afternoon.

Arthur Smith was first spotted driving a Dodge pickup near Ga. 74 and Maynard's Mill Road by a sheriff's deputy who tried to pull him over for a traffic offense, sheriff's Sgt. Lawson Bittick said in a news release from the sheriff's office.

Smith did not stop for the deputy and the pursuit began eastbound, reaching speeds in excess of 110 mph. Bittick said Smith intentionally crashed into a gated yard in Bibb County and began running. He was arrested after running a half mile.

In the truck Smith was driving, which had been reported stolen in DeKalb County last New Year's Eve, deputies found a substantial amount of crystal methamphetamine, Bittick said.

Smith was booked in the Monroe County jail where he faces felony theft, drug trafficking and traffic charges.

To contact writer Laura Corley, call 744-4334 and follow her on Twitter @Lauraecor.

This story was originally published March 7, 2016 at 4:28 PM with the headline "Macon man leads deputies on high-speed chase; meth found in stolen truck ."