Suspect in custody after chase ends in head-on collision with South MS deputy, police say

A suspect is in custody after police spotted a stolen car on Sunday evening that fled through Jackson County and crashed head-on into a sheriff’s deputy’s vehicle, authorities said.

Security cameras in Ocean Springs flagged a 2016 white Porsche as stolen from Texas, Deputy Chief Steven Dye said. Police said they verified the car was stolen and tried to stop it near Park Road and Highway 90.

The car sped down Highway 90 and hit a Jackson County sheriff’s deputy’s car near the Alabama state line, Sheriff John Ledbetter said. “Our deputy’s OK,” the sheriff said.

The suspect, Phillip Johnson of Lubbock, Texas, was brought to Ocean Springs Hospital with minor injuries, police said. Johnson, 36, is facing charges of possession of stolen property and felony eluding. He is being held in the Jackson County jail without bond, jail records show.

Johnson could face up to 10 years in prison if convicted of the felony eluding charge.

This story was originally published March 23, 2025 at 7:30 PM.