Drugs and guns retrieved after police pursuit starts Dade County, GA and ends near Jasper, TN

We have updated information on a police pursuit that began in Georgian and ended in Jasper, TN.

On Sunday December 7th at approximately 11:30pm, Dade County Deputies were conducting traffic enforcement in Wildwood, when they observed a vehicle with an equipment violation exit Interstate 24 West onto Highway 299. When Deputies attempted to stop the vehicle, the driver decided to do a U-turn and get back on Interstate 24 West. The vehicle began to accelerate rapidly and attempted to flee deputies.

The vehicle continued to flee into Marion County (TN) and exited the interstate at Haletown. The lead deputy made intentional vehicular contact with the suspect vehicle, in attempts to end the pursuit, when the vehicle spun around and accelerated rapidly in the opposite direction, striking a Dade County Sergeant head-on, causing extensive damage to both vehicles. Despite heavy damage to the suspect vehicle from the head-on collision, the driver somehow continued fleeing.

As the pursuit continued into the outskirts of the Town of Jasper (TN), Marion County Deputies took the lead on the pursuit. As the vehicle approached the overpass at SR 28 and US 41, the vehicle crashed under the bridge and came to a stop. As deputies were exiting their vehicles, the driver of the suspect vehicle fired 2 shots at the officers. After firing at the officers, the suspect attempted to get the vehicle moving again but was unsuccessful due to officers who arrived on scene after the crash, quickly removing him from the vehicle.

The suspect driver was in possession of 3 firearms, approximately 1/2 pound of suspected cocaine, approximately 1/2 pound of suspected methamphetamine, and $28,000 cash. He also had outstanding felony warrants.

Marion County Sheriff’s Office charged the suspect with shooting at officers (as well as several other charges), while Dade County Sheriff’s Office took warrants for drug trafficking, felony fleeing, and numerous traffic charges.

No Deputies were seriously injured in the pursuit, and no law enforcement returned fire on the subject.

The suspect is identified as Stephen Pyles (52 of Jamestown, TN). He is currently in custody in Marion County.

“Despite knowing how risky this job can be, our Deputies put their uniforms on and leave their families every single day, hoping to get monsters just like this off of our streets. This guy proved that he would try to do absolutely anything not to get caught, but it didn’t work out to well for him. I thank God that he didn’t seriously hurt any officers, deputies, or bystanders, but society is better off with him being off the streets. He’s the kind of guy who is poisoning our loved ones, with absolutely no regard for anyone else. I am so proud of my deputies for everything that they do to further our goal of keeping our community safe. I am also very appreciative of the assistance from Trenton PD, Dade County Dispatch, Marion County Sheriff’s Office, and Jasper PD. This is what happens when we all work so well together!” – Dade County Sheriff Ray Cross.