Fifteen year old eludes police in stolen vehicle through three counties before pursuit ends

By Eddie West Staff Writer

A 15 year old male subject wearing a black mask was taken into custody after attempting to evade law enforcement authorities in a stolen vehicle in three counties.

The youth’s temporary flight came to an end on Highway 70/Lebanon Highway in South Carthage near the entrance to the wastewater treatment plant in South Carthage.

However, the ordeal didn’t come to a halt until  the youth rammed Sheriff Steve Hoppers’ patrol vehicle head-on. This came after the juvenile had already side-swipped a Carthage police patrol vehicle as well as Sheriff Steve Hopper’s vehicle while traveling along Main Street in downtown Carthage.

Uninjured in the incident, the youth was transported to the county jail where multiple charges were filed.

The youth faces charges in Smith, Trousdale and likely in Wilson and Rutherford counties.

The three county incident began late afternoon in Lebanon on Monday (May 5) of last week where the juvenile was said to have stolen a Hyundai Sonata, the vehicle he was driving when taken into custody in Smith County.

After stealing the vehicle in Wilson County, the youth managed to elude law enforcement authorities there.

A “be on the look out” was issued describing the vehicle and noting the driver was wearing a black mask and was possibly armed.

Shortly after eluding law enforcement in Wilson County, the fifteen year old  and vehicle were spotted by law enforcement in Trousdale County.

Officers there engaged in a pursuit which led into Smith County along Highway 25/Dixon Springs Highway.

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