At around midnight on Black Friday, Deputies of the Madison County Sheriff’s Department, the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office, and members of the Louisville Metro Police SWAT Team were involved in a multi-county pursuit that began in Berea. According to an arrest citation, Steven Spry of Gainesville, Florida failed to comply with officer commands during a traffic stop near the 81 mile marker on I-75.
Police say Spry began to drive away from the deputy when they attempted to open the vehicle’s driver-side door, initiating a pursuit. Other deputies were informed of the pursuit and entered I-75 from nearby Northbound exits. During the chase, Spry was reportedly swerving into the direction of law enforcement cruisers. Spry allegedly drove directly towards an officer who had deployed stop sticks from the shoulder of the roadway, nearly striking their cruiser.
Stop sticks were deployed again shortly after this incident deflating Spry’s front driver-side tire, however Spry continued driving the vehicle on the rim.
The pursuit eventually continued onto I-64 towards Louisville, where Spry exited the interstate before driving back onto the Eastbound lane of travel, going West. Police say Spry eventually began traveling West in this lane, before hitting another set of stop sticks deployed by a Shelby County Sheriff’s Deputy. Spry’s front passenger-side tire became deflated and removed down to the rim, resulting in the operation of the truck without either front tire.
Continuing on I-64, Spry reportedly attempted to go into the median again where his vehicle became disabled by the guardrail. Members of the Louisville Metro Police Department’s SWAT division apprehended Spry before he was taken to Louisville Hospital for medical clearance. Spry was then transported to the Madison County Detention Center where he was lodged and charged with multiple offenses including Attempted Murder, 1st Degree Fleeing or Evading Police, Reckless Driving, and 2nd Degree Wanton Endangerment.
