Leadwood Man Arrested After High Speed Chase

(Crawford Co., MO) A Leadwood man is facing multiple charges after a high speed chase in Crawford County. According to police, at approximately 8:05 a.m., Sunday morning, a sergeant with the Crawford County Sheriff's Office observed a black Pontiac Trans Am traveling at a high rate of speed on Highway 19 near the Meramec Bridge in Steelville. The sergeant verified the excessive speed of 125 m.p.h. with radar and activated his lights and emergency siren.

The driver, later identified as 43 year old James Ray, failed to yield and continued north into Cuba. Ray was reportedly traveling at speeds over 100 m.p.h. through Cuba. The pursuit continued east on Interstate 44, as officers with the City of Cuba joined in. Ray continued at speeds exceeding 130 m.p.h. while passing other vehicles on the shoulder of the interstate and exiting at mile marker 210. Ray then re-entered the interstate and continued reaching speeds of 130 m.p.h., before exiting at mile marker 214, where he traveled east on the South Service Road. Notification was made with Bourbon Police, who were able to respond to the area for stop stick deployment. The driver continued at speeds estimated at over 100 m.p.h. on the South Service Road., while passing Bourbon High School. A short time later, the stop sticks were deployed. Contact was successfully made with the front two tires of the vehicle. However, Ray continued, with speeds estimated at over 90 m.p.h., before the vehicle became disabled at Bourbon City Hall. It was there, where Ray surrendered without incident.

Ray was charged the same day with an 11-count warrant, including resisting a lawful stop by fleeing- creating a substantial risk of serious injury/death, failure to comply with an ignition interlock device, careless and imprudent driving, 3 counts of speeding, 3 counts of failing to stop at a stop sign, failure to register a motor vehicle, and no proof of insurance. He was booked in the Crawford County Jail with no bond.