LANETT – A Lanett man received medical attention Monday afternoon for a wreck on North 8th Avenue in Lanett, according to the Lanett Police Department.

Billy Kivette of Lanett wrecked a white Toyota 4Runner on North 8th Avenue in Lanett while attempting to drive away from police officers. Police Chief Johnny Wood said officers approached Kivette at Pawn City in Lanett after recognizing the Toyota vehicle.

Wood said the vehicle is being investigated in connection to the theft of a trailer in Huguley this past weekend.

When officers attempted to make contact with Kivette, he got into the vehicle and drove away a high speed, Wood said. When he turned onto North 8th Avenue, Kivette lost control of the auto, hit a utility pole, flipped the vehicle on its side and rolled down the street. The SUV came to rest upside down about 30 yards from the pole.

Kivette was taken by helicopter to the hospital where he was treated for a head wound, but it is not considered to be life-threatening, Wood said. After his treatment, he said Kivette will be charged with attempting to elude a police officer.

As for additional charges, Wood said the police did not have the opportunity to question Kivette about the theft, and the investigation into that incident will continue.  He said the police were not sure Monday afternoon if it was the vehicle involved in the theft, but it looked similar.

A resident of North 8th Avenue Maxine Hargett said there have been multiple incidents where vehicles have crashed into poles and houses.

“This is like the fifth time cars have come down this street and ran into something,” she said.

Another resident, Bob Johnson, witnessed the crash and said the SUV was traveling at a high rate of speed when it crashed. The accident caused power to be knocked out on the street and the traffic light at the intersection of Cherry Drive and North 8th Avenue was also out.