ATHENS —  Police in two states are on the watch for a Monroe County man who eluded pursuit through three counties, then crashed his car and escaped once he got over the Georgia line.

Authorities said Ernest Jerry Culberson, of Campground Road in Monroe County, fled around midnight from Madisonville police responding to a report alleging domestic assault.

Police issued a “be on the lookout” order for Mr. Culberson’s red Mustang, and Deputy Roy Haynes spotted it moments later on Chestuee Road and tried to make a traffic stop.

Instead, the Mustang fled south on U.S. Highway 411 and, even with tires flattened by spike strips, managed to make it over the Georgia line. The driver fled and remained at large this evening, according to reports.

See Wednesday’s Times Free Press for complete cov erage.