Wes Tomlinson

The Decatur Daily, Ala.

(TNS)

Jul. 2—A Somerville man indicted earlier this year on cocaine trafficking and felony attempting to elude charges was charged with attempting to elude again Tuesday after he ignored deputies directing traffic around a structure fire and drove recklessly, nearly striking firefighters, according to the Morgan County Sheriff's Office.

Tristan Hunter Couch, 30, was charged with three counts of reckless endangerment, illegal possession of prohibited liquor, having an open container of alcohol in a vehicle, resisting arrest, felony attempting to elude a police officer, reckless driving and second-degree possession of marijuana.

He was being held in the Morgan County Jail in lieu of $51,600 in bonds, according to jail records. Records also show Circuit Judge Charles Elliott placed a hold on Couch.

Deputies responded Tuesday to a fire at an automotive business in Somerville, the Sheriff's Office said. While directing traffic around the scene, deputies said a vehicle failed to yield, drove through the emergency scene and ran over multiple fire hoses.

"The vehicle attempted to elude, circling the area and narrowly missing multiple firefighters and fire engines," the Sheriff's Office said. "The vehicle eventually stopped after running into a sign. At that time the driver attempted to elude on foot."

Deputies eventually apprehended the driver and identified him as Couch.

Court records show Couch was indicted in February on charges of trafficking cocaine, possession of controlled substances with intent to distribute, felony attempting to elude a police officer and first-degree possession of marijuana in connection with a 2024 arrest.

According to a deputy's affidavit in that case, agents with the Morgan County Drug Enforcement Unit were conducting a planned narcotics operation involving Couch on June 17, 2024. Investigators alleged Couch told a confidential informant he would sell about 1 pound of marijuana and 1 ounce of cocaine.

According to the affidavit, Couch agreed to meet the informant at PetSmart in Decatur.

"Agents were set up in the parking lot and observed a maroon Chevy truck pull into the parking lot," the affidavit states.

Deputies identified Couch as the driver.

According to the affidavit, Couch drove around the parking lot several times before deputies attempted to block his truck from all four sides.

" Mr. Couch fled through the parking lot of PetSmart and Target at a high rate of speed in attempt to elude law enforcement," the affidavit says.

Couch exited the shopping center onto Sixth Avenue before crashing at the intersection of Sixth Avenue and Beltline Road, and striking two other vehicles, according to the affidavit.

After arresting Couch, deputies searched his truck and found marijuana, cocaine and a loaded pistol on the floorboard, the affidavit states. Investigators also found a plastic bag containing a purple substance next to the driver's side of the truck that tested positive for fentanyl.

" Mr. Couch advised agents his plan was to have us shoot him so he did not have to do life in prison, but he wrecked before that could happen," the affidavit states.

Court records show Couch was released from jail the following day after posting a $23,500 bond. His arraignment in that case is scheduled for Aug. 4.

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