Leah Chase, SCSO Public Relations
On April 20, 2022, at approximately 8:30 p.m., a deputy with the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office initiated a traffic stop on Highway 84 East in Joaquin. As the deputy tried to stop the vehicle, the driver of the car sped up and showed no signs of coming to a stop. A pursuit ensued which traveled down FM 139 to the East Liberty area on Highway 87.
After losing sight of the vehicle, another deputy with the SCSO was in the area and spotted the vehicle. The vehicle turned onto FM 2975. The vehicle then turned on to CR 2110, where Sheriff Kevin W. Windham had his patrol unit positioned at the intersection of Hwy 87 S to try and stop the vehicle. The vehicle struck Sheriff Windham’s unit and continued to evade. The vehicle then turned onto Hwy 87 S again and turned into a driveway. The driver exited the vehicle and took off on foot, running through a wooded area. After a short foot pursuit, the driver of the vehicle was apprehended. Two SCSO patrol vehicles were damaged during this pursuit.
The driver of the vehicle was identified as Gary Smith, 19, of San Augustine. Smith was booked into the Shelby County jail and arraigned by Justice of the Peace Precinct 1 Donna Hughes. Smith was charged with: Aggravated Assault against a Peace Officer (F-1) – $250,000 bond; Abandoning/Endangering a Child (F-2) $200,000 bond; Evading Arrest with a Vehicle (F-3) $50,000 bond; and Evading (M-A) $25,000 bond.
The SCSO would like to thank the Center Police Department and Constable Josh Tipton for their assistance with this situation.