NASHVILLE, Tenn. — A woman led Metro Nashville Police a slow-speed pursuit for more than four hours, continuing to drive despite having all four tires deflated by spike strips, FOX 17 reported.
The incident began just after 3 a.m. when officers found the suspect asleep behind the wheel of a stolen vehicle parked on Burnett Road in the Old Hickory area. Police said that when officers attempted to contact her, the suspect put the vehicle in reverse, hitting two patrol cars and nearly striking one officer before fleeing.
Officers deployed spike strips at two locations, which the suspect drove over, flattening all four tires. Despite the damage, police said she continued driving at speeds between 8 and 15 miles per hour throughout Davidson County.
Metro officers maintained a safe following distance as the pursuit stretched into the early morning hours.
Because Metro Nashville Police policy prohibits the use of the PIT maneuver, the Tennessee Highway Patrol was called in. Troopers ultimately used the tactic to bring the vehicle to a stop and arrest the suspect.
Around 7:30 a.m., traffic camera footage showed officers placing the suspect in handcuffs.
The suspect, a convicted felon on probation for a forgery conviction, also had an active warrant for vehicle theft. She now faces multiple charges, including two counts of vehicle theft, reckless endangerment and four counts of felony evading arrest.
Metro police patrol units, a police helicopter and Tennessee Highway Patrol troopers all participated in the hours-long pursuit.
Retired Metro officer Ken Alexandrow said public safety guides decisions in such incidents.
“They want to use the least amount of force possible to affect that arrest,” Alexandrow said, noting that a similar pursuit during daytime hours or in a high-pedestrian area would likely be terminated.
