A Randolph County man is in critical condition after leading authorities on a high-speed chase through three counties overnight, officials said.

The events unfolded around 2 a.m. when a Cullman city police officer noticed a suspicious vehicle and after stopping the driver, Jason Scott Stephens, discovered he had active warrants for his arrest on stalking charges, Cullman County Sheriff Matt Gentry said. 

Stephens took off and fled down U.S. 31 south into Blount County, merged on I-65 North at exit 287 and led police and Cullman County sheriff’s deputies on a pursuit up the interstate into Morgan County. 

He called 911 and made statements to dispatchers that indicated he was suicidal and homicidal, Gentry said. 

“We don’t think his intentions were good, driving from Randolph County to Cullman County at 2 a.m.,” he said. 

Due to the nature of the allegations of domestic violence and stalking and with scarce highway traffic at the time, authorities continued the pursuit until Stephens appeared to intentionally veer off the road at the Thompson Road exit in Hartselle.

At the time of the wreck, he was going in excess of the speed limit at the time, Gentry said.

Stephens was listed in critical condition at Huntsville Hospital’s neuro-intensive care unit, a hospital spokeswoman confirmed Friday. 

Gentry commended the city police officer for identifying the driver’s vehicle and stopping it. He also defended authorities’ pursuit of man. 

“I pray no one is ever injured in our community, but I will never apologize for keeping victims in this community safe,” Gentry said. “The city officer’s vigilance, checking a vehicle in the middle of the night, may have likely saved lives.”

According to Cullman County sheriff’s office arrest reports, Stephens was charged with violation of protection order Dec. 8, 2016.