From WRIL The Big One -
An 18-year-old man from Virginia is now in custody after leading multiple law enforcement officers on a pursuit through Bell County ending in Claiborne County Tennessee on Saturday night October 21, 2023.
The pursuit started when Bell County Dispatch received a call at 7:14pm of a black Camaro possibly DUI after almost striking a guardrail on southbound Highway 25E.
Pineville Officer Patrick Brooks located the vehicle swerving on the roadway and attempted a traffic stop. The driver, later identified as Brady Garrett of Dryden Virginia, fled at a high rate of speed from the officer. To get around other vehicles, Garrett then traveled into the northbound lane. He then turned into the entrance to Pine Mountain State Park across from the forestry building.
Bell County Deputy Samson Churchwell joined the pursuit as it traveled through the park to a point where a Park Ranger blocked the roadway. Garrett was able to turn around and head back toward Highway 25E, almost striking Officer Brooks and Deputy Churchwell in the process.
The chase then continued onto Highway 25E southbound toward Middlesboro and was joined by units from Kentucky State Police. During this time, Garrett once again traveled into the northbound lane going the wrong direction and almost struck a KSP Trooper.
After coming into Middlesboro, Garrett made his way down Cumberland Avenue then further down toward Fonde Mountain and into Claiborne County where he lost control of the vehicle and wrecked near Tackett Creek with officers in tow. He then exited the vehicle and fled the scene on foot, whereabouts unknown at the time.
A short time before 8:30pm on Sunday night the 22nd, Middlesboro Police Sgt. Nick Capps stated that Officers Morgan Justice, Jacob Quillen, and Marti Messer located Brady Garrett and took him into custody. After being transported and processed by Pineville Officer Brooks, he was lodged in the Bell County Detention Center.
Brady Garrett was charged by Officer Brooks and additionally Kentucky State Police with:
(2) two counts of speeding over 26mph, (2) two counts of reckless driving, (2) two counts of fleeing or evading police - 1st degree (motor vehicle), (4) four counts of wanton endangerment - 1st degree - police officer, possession of controlled substance - 1st degree, 1st offense (Methamphetamine), possession of Marijuana, possession of open alcoholic beverage container in a motor vehicle, buying or possessing drug paraphernalia, improper use of left lane - overtaking a vehicle, disregarding traffic light, disregarding a stop sign, improper passing, and failure to or improper signal.
No bond has been set as of this report.
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