Chase ends in crash on Hwy. 86

Man charged with felony fleeing after incident

A Barry County man is facing a felony after leading deputies on a chase that ended in a crash at the intersection of Highway F and Highway 86.

Jason Swift, 29, of Barry County, is charged with felony resisting arrest.

According to a probable cause statement filed by Travis Wolfe, deputy with the Barry County Sheriff’s Office, the incident began near Hilltop at about 10:48 p.m. on April 1. Wolfe said he saw a vehicle with a tail light out pull into a service station, then exit the property at a high rate of speed.

Wolfe initiated a traffic stop, and the vehicle turned into a housing area, allegedly attempting to hide, before pulling back out and heading toward Roaring River State Park.

A the intersection of Highway 112 and Highway F, Missouri State troopers successfully hit the vehicle with spike strips. The vehicle continued onto Highway F toward Highway 86, allegedly nearly colliding with several vehicles, losing control several times.

Approaching Highway 86, the driver attempted to turn onto Highway 86, but due to flat or missing tires, the vehicle continued straight and ran off the roadway, high centering in a ditch.

The driver then exited the vehicle and allegedly fled on foot, with Wolfe, a trooper and two other deputies giving chase.

The driver allegedly refused to give any identifying information and was violently kicking the door of the patrol car when put inside.

Wolfe said once they arrived at the Barry County jail, the man was identified as Swift. While at the jail, another deputy informed Wolfe a large quantity of what appeared to be methamphetamine and a small amount of marijuana were allegedly located in the vehicle.

Swift is being held in the Barry County jail on a cash-only bond of $50,000. The court has denied any change to the bond, and Swift’s next hearing is on May 11 at 8:30 a.m. in the courtroom of Judge Robert Foulke.