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| High-speed chase ends with inmate's capture in Tenn. |
| By Rock Hill Herald |
| Published: 05/03/2004 |
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A York, S.C., man who escaped from a minimum security prison in Rock Hill was captured in Tennessee after leading authorities on a high-speed car chase through four counties that crossed more than 100 miles. Samuel DeCarlos Watson, 26, of 1013 Gemstone Drive was caught last Saturday afternoon near the Tennessee River Bridge on Interstate 75, said Sgt. Greg Walker of the McMinn County (Tenn.) Sheriff's Office. Watson walked away from his job site at the S.C. Department of Corrections Catawba Pre-Release Center on April 14. He was serving a three-year sentence on a conviction of assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature. Walker said Watson was first approached by police in Benton City -- a town in Polk County, Tenn., that borders North Carolina and Georgia -- for a traffic violation. But when the officer approached the black Chevrolet Cavalier Watson was driving, he sped off, running over the officer's foot in the process, Walker said. Benton City and Polk County authorities continued to chase Watson, who they clocked traveling at speeds in excess of 110 mph. But they had to back off once he got out of their jurisdiction, Walker said. He said they were told by another agency that Watson was driving the wrong way on a state highway and had caused a three-car accident. Around 4:12 p.m., Watson entered McMinn County, which is in southeast Tennessee between Chattanooga and Knoxville. Authorities there picked up the pursuit on Highway 30 onto the streets of Athens, where Watson, going nearly 100 mph, ran through several stop signs, Walker said. Watson eventually got back on the highway and other agencies, including those in Monroe County, Tenn., and a helicopter unit from the Tennessee Highway Patrol were called in to assist, Walker said. An officer threw out spike strips near the Tennessee River Bridge on Interstate 75, which Watson swerved to miss. McMinn County authorities arrested and charged Watson with felony evading arrest, felony reckless endangerment and on a fugitive from justice warrant issued by the S.C. Department of Corrections. Walker said Watson was also a suspect in a string of robberies in Peoria, Ill. where he is believed to have been living the past few weeks with his girlfriend. S.C. corrections officials could not be reached to comment on whether Watson had been returned to South Carolina and what other charges he may face. |
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