BARRY COUNTY, Mo. - Deputies from two states careened around the narrow, curvy roads of northeastern Benton County and southern Barry County, Mo., as they attempted to stop a pickup truck which fled from a deputy trying to make a traffic stop.
A Missouri trooper standing beside his vehicle at the first of two roadblocks was nearly struck by the truck and the trooper fired at the truck, striking the door panel on the driver's side.
The driver of that truck, Floyd Eugene Williams, 49, of Seligman, Mo., is in the Barry County jail after leading both Missouri and Arkansas law enforcement officers on a chase for about 40 minutes on Friday.
What began as a traffic stop by Barry County Sheriff's deputies near Seligman, became a high-speed pursuit which led officers south into Benton County, Ark., along U.S. Highway 62 through Gateway and Garfield before heading north again and stopping at a second road block in Missouri.
Williams is in jail without bond. Charges of first degree assault on a law enforcement officer have been presented to the Barry County Prosecutor's Office. Other charges are pending.
When a Barry County sheriff's deputy called for assistance, Missouri Statetroopers set up a road block south of Missouri Highway DD on Barry County Farm Road 1050. Williams ran the road block and attempted to strike the trooper with his vehicle.
The trooper fired at the green Ford truck being driven by Williams, striking it on the driver's side.
Deputies and police were joined by Benton County Sheriff's deputies after the truck entered Arkansas. Williams turned off U.S. Highway 62 north on Gann Ridge Road and then Mill Hill Road traveling into Missouri before beingbrought to a standstill on Barry County Farm Road 1085 south of Missouri Highway DD.
The traffic stop was initiated as part of a Barry County Sheriff's Office investigation. Additional charges are pending, according to the state police report.
News, Pages 1, 10 on 09/26/2009