By Blake Deshazo

The Selma Times-Journal

A Tyler man is behind bars for allegedly striking a pedestrian with a car early Friday morning and leading Selma police officers on a high-speed chase.

Michael Jerome Perryman, 22, was charged with second-degree assault and attempting to elude a law enforcement officer.

According to a release from the Selma Police Department, a white vehicle struck a black male and left him in critical condition on the 100 block of Nannie Drive around midnight.

A Mercury Grand Marquis matching the description from the 911 call fled the scene after officers tried to conduct a traffic stop.

“The vehicle proceeded through the red light at U.S. Highway 80 East and Alabama Highway 41,” said Lt. Curtis Muhannad. “The driver continued to accelerate reaching speeds in excess of 100 miles per hour while refusing to acknowledge officer’s blue lights and sirens.”

Officers chased Perryman for four to five miles before he was spotted turning into Pine Glen Estates.

After a brief search of the subdivision, Muhannad said officers made contact with the suspect and arrested him.

Officers with the Major Crimes Unit found probable cause during an interview and booked Perryman into the Dallas County Jail on bonds totaling $31,000 for the alleged crimes.

“As far as the motive, that is still under investigation,” Muhannad said. “We haven’t yet determined what the motive was for the assault.”

According to Muhannad, the victim was a black male in his 20s and was found lying in the road by responding officers.

Care Ambulance initially treated the victim before he was transported to White Hall and airlifted to a Montgomery hospital.

Muhannad said the victim suffered severe injuries from the assault.

“He was stabilized and had severe injuries,” Muhannad said. “We’ve got detectives that are looking at trying to check on the level of his injuries and his condition.”

Perryman could face one to 10 years in prison if convicted for the felony second-degree assault charge. He could also face an additional year in prison and fines up to $6,000 for the attempting to elude a law enforcement officer charge.

Muhannad said the assault is still under investigation.