A police pursuit that began in Obion County Friday afternoon ended after the suspect crashed into a utility pole between Fulton and Cayce, Ky.
Charles Mims, 41, of the Dyersburg area was taken into custody in Fulton County, Ky., on multiple charges, including 10 counts of wanton endangerment, fleeing and evading police and reckless driving, according to Fulton County Sheriff Bobby Hopper, who said there could be additional charges pending further investigation.
Hopper said the multiple counts of wanton endangerment stem from other motorists’ nearly being hit by Mims during the pursuit.
Fulton County authorities were notified about 1:25 p.m. Friday of a police pursuit that had begun in Obion County and was headed toward Fulton County, according to Hopper. Preliminary reports from authorities indicate that a deputy from the Obion County Sheriff’s Department apparently had attempted to stop Mims near Samburg, but he allegedly refused to stop and the pursuit headed toward Kentucky. Additional details regarding the traffic stop were not available from Obion County authorities at press time.
During the pursuit, the Obion County Sheriff’s Department was joined by personnel from the Fulton County Sheriff’s Department, Hickman (Ky.) Police Department and the Fulton County Detention Center. The suspect reportedly went through Hickman and Cayce heading toward Fulton on Highway 94. Hopper said he ran off the roadway in the Jeffress Road area and ran through a muddy field for about 25 yards before striking the utility pole.
Hopper said Mims is currently furloughed from the Fulton County Detention Center and is being treated at Parkway Regional Hospital in Fulton for injuries sustained in the accident. He was also reported to have attempted to cut his own throat when he was about to be apprehended. Hopper said he was wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash, though.
In addition to the charges in Kentucky, Mims also reportedly faces charges in Tennessee, but additional details were not available from Obion County authorities at press time.
Published in The Messenger on 10.29.07