Man arrested after multiple county pursuit

JACKSON COUNTY – On Wednesday, May 31, around 12:30 a.m., the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office received a call that the Washington County Sheriff’s Office was headed towards Jackson County in an active pursuit with a reckless driver who had previously fled from the Panama City Police Department. Deputies were stationed near the county line and saw the vehicle turning onto Highway 231 from Syfrett Road. The vehicle then made an illegal u-turn and continued driving at a high rate of speed. The driver eventually abandoned the vehicle on Petty Road and fled on foot. 

The K-9 Tracking Unit was called to the scene, and located the driver, 27-year-old Zachary Alexander Kelley, in the woods about 30 minutes later. Deputies then found about 11.6 grams of methamphetamine inside the car. Throughout the course of the investigation, it was learned that Kelly was released in 2017 after being arrested for fleeing and eluding law enforcement, and is on probation until 2024 for possession of a controlled substance. 

Kelley was arrested and is being charged with aggravated fleeing and eluding, possession of methamphetamine and violation of probation.