Man accused of eluding Gulfport police faces death charge after retired Seabee dies

July 21--GULFPORT -- Police say a man who eluded a Gulfport police officer on Pass Road, causing a three-vehicle crash July 8, faces a death charge now that an injured motorist has died.

Jeremy Shane Fogleman, 36, is accused of causing injuries that led to the death of Edward Charles Fredrickson, a 65-year-old retired serviceman who lived in Gulfport. Fredrickson was taken off life support Thursday at a Mobile hospital, relatives said. He was buried Tuesday at the Biloxi National Cemetery.

Police served Fogleman with upgraded arrest warrants at the Harrison County jail Monday. His new charges are felony eluding resulting in death, punishable by up to 40 years in prison, and felony eluding causing injury.

Fogleman has been held on related charges since the crash. His felony bonds now total $1.25 million.

Police Sgt. Damon McDaniel said an officer had tried to pull over a 2012 Chevrolet Camaro on a traffic violation about 12:32 a.m. July 8 at 28th Street and Pass Road. The officer turned on his blue lights but turned them off, choosing to not initiate a pursuit because of the Camaro's speed, he said.

McDaniel said the Camaro then ran a red light, striking a 2011 Chevrolet Malibu that was northbound on 8th Avenue, and both vehicles struck a 2011 Nissan Murano that was stationary in a westbound lane of Pass Road.

Fredrickson, in the Malibu, and the driver of the Murano were taken to a local hospital. McDaniel said police later learned Fredrickson was taken to a Mobile trauma center.

Fogleman also was taken to a hospital for treatment of minor injuries. Police then arrested him on charges of felony eluding, possession of meth and no proof of liability insurance.

Justice Court Judge Melvin Ray has set bonds of $1 million on the death charge and $200,000 on the charge of felony eluding resulting in injury. Fogleman also has a $50,000 bond on the meth charge.

The accident isn't Fogleman's first while allegedly speeding in a sports car. Biloxi police arrested him on a felony eluding charge last August, saying Fogleman ran a red light in a Dodge Charger during a police pursuit and broad-sided another vehicle at U.S. 90 and Beauvoir Road. That case is pending.

Fredrickson's relatives said he was a retired Seabee who also had served in the Army before enlisting in the Navy. They said he enjoyed repairing lawn mowers and helping others. He was a volunteer at Feed My Sheep.

"Where the rest of us let the world make us serious, he never lost that fun in life, his desire to joke around and make others laugh," Paula Rutherford said. She and Fredrickson had married years ago, had a child together and later divorced.

"Our daughter told one of his favorite jokes at the funeral," she said.

___

(c)2015 The Sun Herald (Biloxi, Miss.)

Visit The Sun Herald (Biloxi, Miss.) at www.sunherald.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.