Vehicle fled at 50 MPH on Main Street, escaped into Arkansas

By Kyle Troutman [email protected]

Cassville police are seeking to identify the driver of a four-wheeler that fled and ultimately evaded multiple agencies in pursuit on Thursday.

Donald Privett, Cassville police chief, said at 9:52 p.m. on Thursday, Office Jacqueline Murray was patrolling within the city limits when she saw a four-wheeler traveling westbound allegedly fail to stop at a stop sign at 11th and Main streets. Murray attempted to initiate a traffic stop, but the vehicle continued to flee.

Privett said the chase was all over the area of Presley Drive, Ivey Street and Sapp Street, eventually returning to Main Street by the Cassville Branch Library, continuing on Main Street to Highway 37, then south to Seligman and eventually, Arkansas.

“They made that circle around Presley, Sapp and Ivey about four or five times before he came back behind the library and went south on Main to the four-way, turned left on Highway 7 and headed toward Seligman,” Privett said. “We continued the pursuit to south of the MoDOT barn hen he started crossing into the opposite lane of traffic. At that point, we terminated the pursuit because of the risk to the public due to him driving southbound in the northbound lane.”

Privett said the Missouri State Highway Patrol terminated its pursuit on Main Street, but troopers followed the four-wheeler at a safe distance until it turned onto Butler Hollow Road and escaped into Arkansas via backroads.

The chase lasted 17 minutes before it was terminated, reaching speeds of over 50 miles per hour on Main Street and Highway 37. Privett said two Cassville police cars, two Highway Patrol cars and one Barry County Sheriff’s Office car were involved.

“At one point, Officer Murray thought the four-wheeler struck her patrol car, but we are unable to determine if that actually happened or not,” Privett said. 

Privett said police have received tips on who was driving the vehicle, and police are working to ID the suspect.

“When we ID him, we will charge him with felony resisting and a slew of traffic violations,” he said. 

Privett said a similar incident occurred in the Hilltop area a couple months ago, with the suspect evading police at that time, as well.

“Officer Murray said it appeared to be the same four-wheeler because the tail lights kept flickering,” Privett said.