Smith County Officers and Carthage Police joined in an effort to stop a vehicle pursuit through Carthage on December 14, 2020.
Smith County Officer Matt White conducted a consensual encounter with the driver of a vehicle that was parked behind the restrooms of the Crump Paris soccer complex.
However, when the driver, Anthony Ribble, was asked if he possessed a driver’s license, he admitted to not having a valid license and would not present any identification. At which point, Ribble accelerated his vehicle, causing it to lose traction, nearly striking Officer White.
Office White began pursuit of Ribble’s vehicle, traveling northbound on Gordonsville Highway and continuing into the City of Carthage on the Carthage Bypass. Carthage Police Department Officer Stephen Enoch joined the pursuit that reached varied speeds of 40 mph to 76 mph.
Ribble continued to flee on Dixon Springs Highway, where Carthage Police Department Officer John Baiera had deployed spike strips near Hardees. The spike strips disabled the front two tires of Ribble’s vehicle, which caused a lost tire near Smith County Motors.
With Smith County Deputy Layne Silcox also engaged in the pursuit near Tanglewood Market, Ribble continued to flee while driving on the wrong side of the road until crashing into a ditch near Riverview Speedway. Ribble was removed from the vehicle and was placed into custody.
According to the police report, it was revealed that Ribble’s driver’s license was revoked, and he had active warrants out of Metro Nashville. The vehicle Ribble was driving was also reported stolen out of Davidson County on December 13.
Ribble was transported to the Smith County Jail. He was charged with Reckless Endangerment, Driving While Revoked, Possession of Stolen Property, Evading Arrest by Motor Vehicle, and Aggravated Assault. Ribble is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
