Mercedes ruined, but Christmas presents recovered

Dec. 30– A 39-year-old Savannah man racked up a lengthy list of charges for reportedly stealing a Mercedes loaded with Christmas presents while drunk and drugged, crashing the $30,000 car into another vehicle and then leading officers on a chase before being apprehended.

Jimmy E. Milstead, 135 Bain Road, is accused of taking a red 2007 Mercedes belonging to Tommy Mabry from Kustom Kars on Florence Road on Dec. 23. The car contained gifts valued at $700 and $1,500 cash, Savannah police said.

According to the Tennessee Highway Patrol, Milstead was subsequently driving the stolen vehicle that same night and crashed it into a vehicle on Tenn. 128 occupied by three children, and then left the scene.

A trooper passed Milstead and blocked the roadway with his patrol car, which was struck by the Mercedes on Diamond Island Drive, at which point Milstead was arrested.

A city officer said the Mercedes’ first crash damaged its cooling system, causing the engine to overheat. The heavily-smoking car was eventually able to travel only at about 10 mph.

Milstead was charged with DUI-2, violation of the implied consent law, reckless endangerment, evading arrest, leaving the scene of an accident, failure to give immediate notice of an accident, reckless driving, not wearing a seat belt and failure to provide proof of vehicle insurance.

Milstead was also arrested on a probation revocation warrant issued in Hardin County General Sessions Court on Dec. 7 for failing to meet with a probation officer and not paying a fine or court costs.