THP pursues vehicle, man taken into custody

A Cookeville man was taken into custody Friday morning after he fled from law enforcement officers at a sobriety checkpoint, in Van Buren County.

According to Trooper Jacob Groce, of Tennessee Highway Patrol, THP and Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office were conducting a sobriety checkpoint, at approximately 8:30 a.m., on July 1, 2022, on State Highway 111 at Old Highway 111, in Van Buren County, when a black sedan came through the checkpoint.

According to Trooper Groce, officers could smell an odor, which was believed to be marijuana, coming from the vehicle. When asked to produce a driver license, the driver, who was later identified as Marcus Edwards, of Cookeville, reportedly sped off from officers.

Trooper Groce proceeded to pursue the black sedan, on State Highway 111, toward White County, with speeds reportedly exceeding 130 miles per hour. Trooper Groce was assisted by Van Buren County deputies until they reached the county line, where White County deputies deployed spikes in an attempt to stop the vehicle. According to Trooper Groce, White County deputies were successful in hitting three of the four tires, from the county line to the city limits of Sparta.

According to Trooper Groce, Edwards eventually pulled into the parking lot at Arby’s, just off Highway 111, in Sparta, where he was taken into custody and transported back to Van Buren County where has been charged with felony evading arrest and driving on suspended license.

Trooper Groce said a list of traffic violations and more charges are possible.