Speed Leads To Police Chief's Fiery Crash

Police say Thomasville Police Chief Billy Hicks was speeding when he crashed and his unmarked cruiser burst into flames.

Pine Hill Police Chief John Brown says three of his officers were on patrol Saturday night when they spotted a speeding car headed south on Highway 5. The car quickly disappeared around the bend and because of the hills and curves in the road, police never caught up with it.

About the time Pine Hill police called off the pursuit, Sgt. Nikisha Gailes saw a wreck in the distance. When she got to the scene, the car was on fire.

Gailes and two other officers noticed two men were trapped inside the vehicle, which looked like an unmarked police car. They called for help and then used fire extinguishers to get the fire under control.

Firefighters from Pine Hill and Thomasville arrived with the 'Jaws of Life' and helped pull the men out.

The two men were later identified as Chief Billy Hicks and Richard Jowers. Hicks suffered a spinal cord injury and is partially paralyzed. He's listed in serious condition at USA Medical Center.

Chief Brown says he doesn't think Hicks ever knew the officers were behind him.

Sgt. Nikisha Gailes and her fellow officers, Chance Gaines and Buddy Buchanan, will be awarded the Life Saving Medal.