High speed chase suspect caught by Linden PD

On Oct. 23, Officer Thomas Whitt was working in the capacity of a City of Linden Police Officer. Officer Whitt was working traffic in the Li JR High school zone on US Hwy 59 when he observed a white Chrysler 200 with Tennessee license plate 9NOIH9, traveling northbound at a high rate of speed.

Officer Whitt checked the vehicle’s speed with the radar that is mounted inside the patrol unit. It revealed the speed of over 80 mph. Officer Whitt activated the emergency lights and attempted to make a traffic stop on the vehicle for speeding 81 in a 35 mph school zone. As Officer Whitt attempted to stop the vehicle the driver accelerated to over 116 mph through the city limits of Linden.

Officer Whitt advised Cass County dispatch that the vehicle was failing to stop. Trooper Decori Birmingham, who is employed by the Texas Highway Patrol, joined the pursuit with Officer Whitt on U.S. Highway 59 just north of the roadside park located between the cities of Linden and Atlanta.

Upon making it to the main intersection in Atlanta, officers with Atlanta Police Department shut the intersection down to keep any bystanders from being run over. Officer Johnny Bailey with the APD joined the pursuit as the vehicle turned right on TX Hwy 77 East and failed to stop for the stop sign at the intersection of TX Hwy 43.

The vehicle turned left on FM 251 heading north. The vehicle failed to stop at the stop signs located at Main Street and Hiram Street. The vehicle turned left on to Allday Street and failed to stop at the intersection of Louise Street.

The vehicle continued westbound on Allday Street before he turned right on Wade Street and drove through the neighborhood running, even more, stop signs.

The vehicle made a right onto U.S. Hwy 59 from Polk Street and continued northbound before he turned right onto Loop 236 in Queen City until he came back out on to U.S. Hwy 59 and headed northbound. Queen City Police units joined the pursuit.

Texas Highway Patrol Trooper Heath Bell was located at the south entrance of the scale house located just to the north of FM 2327. Officer Whitt observed Trooper Bell deploy spike strips and the suspect vehicle run over the top of the spikes with all four tires.

The vehicle slowed to 55 mph and was still traveling northbound, Officer Whitt passed the suspect vehicle and attempted to stop the vehicle using the patrol vehicle as a rolling roadblock. The vehicle came to a stop approximately two miles north of the scale house.

The driver failed to put the car into park after he exited the vehicle and the back left tire ran over the driver’s right foot. Officer Whitt entered the driver’s side of the vehicle and placed the vehicle in park. Officer Bailey detained the driver, who was identified as Jeremiah Williams.

Trooper Birmingham detained the passenger, Aubrey Williams. Officer Whitt read Jeremiah Williams his Maranda rights. Williams stated he understood his rights, Officer Whitt asked him why he and did not pull over.

Williams stated he did not have a driver’s license and was in possession of a small amount of marijuana. Officer Whitt advised Williams he was under arrest for felony evading detention and misdemeanor possession of marijuana.

Williams was issued citational 2096 for speeding 81 in a 35 mph school zone and No Driver’s License. Lifenet EMS responded to medically evaluate Williams’ right foot. He was transported the Atlanta St. Michael’s emergency room to be medically cleared. X-rays showed no breaks or sprains.

Williams was transported to the Cass County Jail where he was booked in without incident and housed for felony evading and POCS marijuana, Misdemeanor B.

Aubrey Williams was released at the scene and received a courtesy ride from Queen City Officer Thomas Fomby to the Love’s Truck Stop located in Domino.

The marijuana weighed one gram and was placed into evidence locker #5.

The driver also had warrants out of Georgia.