November 22, 2016 - A high speed chase starting in Center and involving several law enforcement agencies has ended with a crash in Joaquin on Tuesday, November 22, 2016.
The chase started with Center Police Officer Jim Blackwell somewhere in Center when he reported he was in pursuit of a red 2013 Chevrolet Impala. Texas Department of Public Safety State Trooper Keith Jones reports he was in Joaquin at the time the pursuit began heading in his direction on State Highway 7 at speeds over 130 mph.
With officers being aware the suspect lived between Center and Joaquin and in anticipation of the vehicle traveling Highway 7 to Joaquin, Trooper Jones was going to set up stop spikes to stop the vehicle. While en route, pursuing vehicles lost sight of the Impala and began searching toward his residence.
While traveling west on Hwy 7, Trooper Jones continued searching and when he first sighted the Impala at the top of a hill he checked it at a speed of 123 mph. Trooper Jones initiated his lights and turned around in pursuit of the Impala giving chase for approximately five minutes.
As the Impala approached the intersection of U.S. Highway 84 he attempted to make a left turn at the intersection at a speed too fast for the turn when he traveled on the wrong side of the roadway not passing and struck a metal utility pole head-on causing the vehicle to immediately catch on fire. Two pedestrians exited Linda's Hair Salon and pulled the driver out of the car while his ankles and waist were on fire. He was quickly extinguished and an ambulance and helicopter were requested.
A passerby who witnessed the crash arrived on scene and extinguished the vehicle with a fire extinguisher before it became fully engulfed in flames. The Joaquin Volunteer Fire Department arrived shortly after and applied water to the vehicle to cool it down ensuring the fire was out.
After ACE EMS arrived and had time to examine the driver the helicopter was canceled. From there he was transported to Nacogdoches Medical Center - Center Emergency Department for treatment.
Several charges are pending at this time through Texas DPS and Center PD for the driver Jeffrey Scott Fenley, 33, of Center. The vehicle came back registered to a Crystal Darlene Fenley.
Shelby County Today witnessed the Center Police Department engage the same Impala in a chase on Hurst Street around 1pm on Saturday afternoon, November 19 and lost the vehicle down Old San Augustine Road. Shelby County Sheriff's Deputies chased it again on Sunday evening, November 20.
Once Fenley was cleared from the hospital, he was arrested by Center Police Officer Jim Blackwell and placed in the Shelby County Jail on charges of evading arrest, felony 4; and reckless driving, misdemeanor b. He curently is being held on a bonds totaling $21,000.
More information will be provided as it is made available.
