In the early hours of March 2, 2023, a routine patrol conducted by a diligent deputy in Wise County took an unexpected turn. Shortly after midnight, the deputy attempted to initiate a traffic stop on a Chevy pickup truck for failing to signal a turn. The deputy activated the overhead emergency lights, prompting the driver to pull into a parking lot and hastily exit the vehicle.
As the driver stepped out of the truck, the alert deputy noticed the individual beginning to walk backward slowly. Suddenly, without warning, the driver made a swift turn and sprinted away. Acting swiftly, the deputy gave chase, and the pursuit took them through a series of challenges.
The fleeing driver and the deputy scrambled over three chain-link fences, ran through thorny briars, dense brambles, and into a hardwood forest. Additional deputies soon joined the pursuit, determined to apprehend the suspect.
One of the pursuing officers managed to catch up with the fugitive, leading to a physical struggle. Although the felon briefly broke free, another deputy was able to capture and restrain him. The driver was subsequently handcuffed and escorted back to the location of the original traffic stop.
To add to the unfolding drama, the driver's girlfriend remained at the scene. A quick database review revealed that she had four active felony warrants in Wise County, including charges of Theft, Possession of Meth, Unlawful Use of a Motor Vehicle (UUMV), and Tampering with Evidence.
Inside the getaway car, law enforcement officers made a significant discovery. They found 126 grams of methamphetamine and three loaded handguns, raising serious concerns about the intentions of the driver. Consequently, the driver was charged with multiple counts, including Possession of Meth in an amount exceeding 4 grams but less than 200 grams. Both the driver and his girlfriend were booked into the Wise County Jail and placed in separate rooms.
Further investigation revealed that the fleeing driver was a convicted felon. The case was subsequently adopted by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). On October 16, 2023, the felon faced his day in Federal Court, where he was sentenced to 12 years in a Federal Correctional Institute (FCI) for his actions.
