Published: July 20, 2009 12:06 pm      

Chase goes through county

Pontotoc County — The driver of a stolen semi led authorities on a marathon chase through Coal, Pontotoc and Johnston Counties Saturday.

The Oklahoma Highway Patrol said a 17-year-old boy escaped from a juvenile detention center in Georgia and while on the lam, stole a semi-truck in Muskogee. His name is not being released because he is a minor.

The pursuit ended in Tishomingo when the driver crashed into a downtown business after failing to make a turn. He was arrested and extradition back to Georgia is pending.

Coal County Sheriff Roy Deck said OHP Trooper John Ivey attempted to make a traffic stop on the semi near the intersection of U.S. 75 and State Highway 3E. The driver of the semi reportedly fled at a high rate of speed.

Ivey, along with a deputy and a game warden, pursued the vehicle to the Coal County line. Pontotoc County sheriff’s deputies joined the chase which reached speeds of over 100 miles per hour.

The driver turned off S.H. 3E leading authorities south on S.H. 99. Tammy Sherrell, a clerk at Bob’s Grocery in Fittstown, said the pursuit went through Fittstown so fast she really couldn’t tell what kind of vehicle it was.

“I looked out and all I saw was something red go by,” Sherrell said.

She said about 15 police cars were following closely behind. The chase lasted a little more than 60 miles.