A man facing a number of charges stemming from his attempt to flee from a pursuing Baxter County sheriff’s deputy at speeds reaching in excess of 100-miles-per-hour on State Highway 178 West appeared during a session of Baxter County Circuit Court/Criminal Division Monday (February 23).
Nineteen-year-old Henry Matthew DeAtley of Lakeview pled guilty to the charges against him, including fleeing, speeding, reckless driving and improper passing.
DeAtley was sentenced to 36-months-probation under the provisions of Act 346 meaning if he stays out of trouble during probation he can apply to the court to have his record sealed.
DeAtley’s arrest came after a Baxter County Sheriff’s deputy observed a small car traveling at a high rate of speed on December 30 last year.
The deputy said as he was attempting to catch the car, he saw it pass two vehicles, including a white SUV pulling a trailer, in no passing zones.
The vehicle eventually pulled into the parking lot of a business. DeAtley was reported to have rolled down the driver’s side window and tossed the keys to the car out on the parking lot.
The deputy said he drew his service revolver and ordered DeAtley out of the vehicle and then to lay on his stomach.
When the deputy asked DeAtley why he decided to flee, he is reported to have said he “was already speeding” and knew if he was stopped, a check on the vehicle would show his tags were expired and that he had no insurance.
The deputy ran a computer check on the vehicle and, as DeAtley said, it showed the license plate had expired in June and there was unconfirmed insurance on the car.
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