William Matthew Little.

MOULTRIE, Ga. — A Friday afternoon police chase ended with a Colquitt County man jailed after he allegedly ate suspected methamphetamine.

A Colquitt County deputy noticed a 2000 Chevrolet Blazer with a tag registered to a 1996 Ford Explorer at about 4:32 p.m. on Industrial Drive.

The truck also had a cracked tail light, police said. When the driver, later identified as William Matthew Little, turned right on Industrial Parkway the deputy turned on his blue lights and sirens.

Instead of stopping, police said, the driver of the Blazer increased speed, passed a car in a no-passing zone and, after turning onto Industrial Road, crossed into the oncoming traffic lane several times.

Little lost control of the Blazer a short distance before reaching Highway 37 East, police said. When the deputy approached the stopped car he saw Little put a clear plastic bag containing what appeared to be methamphetamine in his mouth. The deputy was unable to prevent him from swallowing the contents of the bag.

After removing Little from the car and restraining him the deputy called for paramedics to be on hand if Little became sickened. He was taken to jail after paramedics examined him.

A search of the car turned up a small amount of suspected marijuana and a methamphetamine smoking device, police said.

“He admitted to deputies the item he ate was methamphetamine,” sheriff’s Sgt. Channing McDowell said. “During an interview he said that he ate it so he couldn’t be charged (with possession). I got a search warrant for urine and blood tests. On his urine sample he tested positive for methamphetamine, THC and MDA.”

Little was charged with possession of methamphetamine, possession of marijuana, no driver’s license, fleeing or attempting to elude police officer, improper tag, no insurance and reckless driving.

Three passengers in the Blazer were not charged.