A recent high-speed vehicle pursuit in Independence County ended with the arrests of the driver and his two passengers.
According to the affidavit of probable cause for arrest, Independence County Chief Sheriff’s Deputy Aaron Moody and Detective Zachary Bailey were conducting a neighborhood canvas on Union Hill Road on Aug. 21 in reference to a recent crime. During that process, the deputies observed a Chevrolet pickup with a Missouri license plate traveling east at a high rate of speed on Union Hill Road. A check showed the license on the vehicle had expired in July.
The court record said when deputies tried to pull the truck over, the vehicle sped away and gave authorities a chase across several county and state roads, forcing some vehicles, including a FedEx carrier vehicle, off the road and others into ditch lines.
The chase finally ended when the vehicle began to slow, and then stop, just before Kings Loop Road. A passenger, later identified as William Thomas, fled into the woods and was pursued and captured by Bailey. The court documents said a search of Thomas turned up a wooden box containing what tested positive as marijuana.
The driver, identified as Matthew C. Thomas (pictured above), 28, was taken into custody for aggravated assault and fleeing. He, along with William Thomas, had warrants for their arrest out of Independence County. A female passenger, Camilla Fulks (pictured below), also had active arrest warrants from Independence County, according to the affidavit.
All three were taken to the Independence County Detention Facility.
Matthew C. Thomas was charged with two felonies, aggravated assault, and fleeing law enforcement officers.
His bond was set at $50,000.
Images via Independence County Sheriff’s Department
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