September 19, 2024 - Nacogdoches County Sheriff’s Department deputies engaged in a high-speed chase Tuesday, September 17, 2024, which was finally brought to a halt in Shelby County.
According to Tim Monzingo, Nacogdoches County Sheriff’s Office Public Information officer, a deputy was on patrol in a school zone in Central Heights when he attempted to stop a white 2020 Toyota passenger car with an obscured license plate at 7:16am. The driver fled when the deputy initiated the stop.
Monzingo indicates the pursuit led deputies in Nacogdoches County as far as State Highway 7 and then doubled back and traveled north through Garrison. The pursuit was recorded as exceeding 100 mph for the majority of the time, even topping out at 120 mph at one point. During the pursuit, two school zones in the Nacogdoches County area were passed through.
As the pursuit entered Shelby County and traveled at high speed through Timpson on U.S. Highway 59, it then traveled State Highway 87 North heading in the direction of Center. During the pursuit, multiple attempts to spike the Toyota’s tires were made to bring the pursuit to an end, however, they were evaded by the driver.
Monzingo reports the driver eventually surrendered to law enforcement officers at the intersection of FM 415 at 7:40am.
Several items were allegedly observed being thrown out the window of the vehicle as it was traveling. Officers returned to the location where officers believed items had been thrown out of the vehicle during the pursuit. The Nacogdoches County K9 unit assisted in locating and recovering methamphetamine, while a firearm and marijuana were recovered from within the vehicle.
Christopher Michael Chaney, 41, of Ashley City, Tennessee was arrested and charged with evading arrest/detention with a vehicle, felony 3; unlawful possession of a firearm by felon, felony 3; possession of marijuana, >=4oz<5lbs, state jail felony; possession of a controlled substance >=4G<200G, felony 2; possession of a controlled substance >=1G<4G, felony 3; and tamper/fabricate physical evidence, felony 3. All bonds combined total $110,000.
Monzingo confirms agencies involved in the pursuit and which assisted included Nacogdoches County Sheriff’s Department, Nacogdoches County Precinct 1 Constables, Nacogdoches Police Department, Center Police Department, Texas Department of Public Safety, Shelby County Sheriff’s Department, and Shelby County Constables.
“We’re grateful for the assistance from all the agencies that helped bring this to a conclusion,” stated Monzingo.
