A Feb. 11 car chase that began in Ludowici ended in Liberty County with the apprehension of two Savannah men.
According to Ludowici Police Chief Robert Poppell, one of his officers saw a white Nissan Altima going eastbound on Highway 84 a little after midnight Feb. 11. The driver of the vehicle, Dwayne Marcus Ellison Jr., 19, was allegedly not maintaining control, allowing the car to cross over into both lanes. Poppell said the officer pulled the vehicle over and began gathering information from Ellison. As the officer gathered information, he smelled marijuana coming from the vehicle.
Poppell said that Ellison abruptly sped away, nearly striking the officer. Ellison reportedly accelerated to a high rate of speed heading toward Hinesville. As the vehicle fled, the officer said, drugs appeared to be thrown from the vehicle. The officer then informed Hinesville and Walthourville authorities of his pursuit. Poppell said the chase continued through Hinesville until Ellison attempted to make a left turn onto Leroy Coffer Road. Ellison lost control of his Nissan, which came to a stop in a ditch with airbags deploying. Ellison and his passenger, Julius Larry Jr., 24, ran off, but were apprehended after a chase on foot.  
During the arrests, Poppell said, Larry dropped a loaded .380-caliber Taurus pistol. While searching the vehicle, authorities also discovered an open bottle of liquor, a digital scale, several clear plastic bags and a green leafy substance. Poppell said the vehicle had been rented by one of Larry’s relatives.
Ellis was charged with possession of marijuana, possession of drug objects, underage possession of alcohol, obstruction, reckless driving, having open container while fleeing to elude, driving with no license and failure to maintain a lane. Larry was charged with providing alcohol to a minor, possession of marijuana, and obstruction. Larry was released Feb. 12, but Poppell said Ellison is being held on a $9,000 bond.