According to WJLE in Smithville, TN, a high speed chase which began in Watertown ended in DeKalb County early Saturday morning as spike strips were used to stop the driver of a vehicle trying to elude authorities.
According to reports, the pursuit started when Watertown police tried to stop a man, believed to be driving under the influence of alcohol.
The chase continued east on Interstate 40 at speeds of up to 100 miles-per-hour, according to the Tennessee Highway Patrol. The chase passed through Smith County in the early hours of Saturday, July 18.
The driver turned off I-40 onto Highway 56 at Silver Point toward DeKalb County but did not stop until he crashed near Hurricane Bridge after running over the spike strips.
The driver of the vehicle was Richard Clayton Baxter, age 33. Baxter was arrested and cited for evading arrest, reckless endangerment, driving on revoke license, resisting arrest, assault, and DUI. He reportedly suffered only minor injuries.
WJLE.com and Smith County Insider are continuing to investigate the incident.
