Billy Joseph BryantA Chattanooga man, Billy Joseph Bryant, 39, racked up 20 charges after leading police on a high speed car chase through Soddy Daisy on Thursday.
A Hamilton County Sheriff's Deputy first spotted the suspect vehicle, a blue Chevy Suburban, traveling northbound on the 1400 block of Highway 27, according to court documents.
The car's registration appeared to be expired and the vehicle tag was for a 2000 Ford, so the deputy attempted to stop the car on the Thrasher Pike off ramp. Instead of stopping, the suspect sped up, ran the stop sign and turned left.
The suspect drove down Thrasher Pike in the left hand lane, failed to stop at a red light at Dayton Pike and continued onto Springfield Road. He then turned into the parking lot of Mile Straight Baptist Church before running a stop sign and turning onto Dayton Pike, speeding to 90 miles per hour.
The driver sped through another red light at the intersection of Dayton Pike and Harrison Lane, turned onto Sequoyah Road and tried to take the northbound ramp onto Highway 27, but drove off the road and through a fence on the 9900 block of Miller Road.
Continuing onto the property, the suspect started driving in circles and the pursuing deputy saw the car had two occupants. The car finally stopped and the passenger door opened, prompting deputies to command the passenger to get out. She was detained without incident.
After a short search of the area, the car's other occupant, Bryant, was found lying on his stomach in the woods nearby. He refused to place his hands behind his back and the deputy was able to take him into custody after striking him in the back and prying his arms back with a baton.
Deputies found a small bag of what appeared to be crystal meth near where Bryant was found as well as a hypodermic needle, multiple insulin needles and a Coca-Cola with burnt, white residue inside the car.
The female passenger said she had recently gotten out of jail in Georgia and just met Bryant. She said she had needed a ride. It was found both of their driving privileges were revoked, but she was released from the scene.
Bryant faces charges of evading arrest, possessing a firearm with intent to go armed, possession of meth and reckless endangerment, among other things. His next court appearance is scheduled for Monday before General Sessions Judge Christine Sell.