Prosecutors charge man in Oklahoma City chase in which his young son was hurt

Tuesday, December 14th 2004, 6:15 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ Oklahoma County prosecutors filed child abuse and other charges against a man who allegedly led police on a chase, wrecked a stolen car and seriously injured his young son.

Charges of robbery with firearms and attempting to elude a police officer also were filed Monday against Mecoli Johnson, 28, of Oklahoma City.

Johnson was arrested Nov. 28 after he drove the wrong way on I-35 and collided with an oncoming vehicle, police said.

Johnson's 14-month-old son, Mecoli Johnson Jr., was found on the floorboard after the crash and was taken to the hospital in serious condition.

Authorities allege Johnson stole a car at gunpoint Nov. 25 and was speeding Nov. 28 when the chase began.

Court records show Johnson was arrested 12 times between 1993 and 2001 and has been convicted five times on charges including theft and unauthorized use of a motor vehicle.

He was out of jail about a month at the time of the Nov. 28 wreck.

Johnson is now in jail on $250,000 bail, court records indicate.