Search continues for two suspects involved in high speed chase
Investigators have identified the two suspects as Tyrell Flenoy, 20 of Nashville and Desiree Hester, 19, also of Nashville.
According to Sgt. Darren Gleaton of the Georgia State Patrol, the high speed chase that ended on I-24 in Chattanooga actually began on I-75 in Catoosa County. A motor carrier compliance officer spotted a car traveling at a dangerously high rate of speed and attempted to pull the vehicle over.
"When he attempted to make that traffic stop, the suspect vehicle accelerated and a pursuit ensued," Gleaton said.
State troopers and Catoosa County sheriff deputies eventually joined the chase. Troopers told WDEF that at one point, the fleeing car ran two other vehicles off the road. Troopers continued the chase across state lines and into Chattanooga where on two occasions, they tried a pit maneuver on the vehicle but it didn’t work. Then they tried another tactic involving two patrol cars.
"They decided to pin the vehicle in against the concrete barrier. And that’s where we have the final rest of all three vehicles," Gleaton said.
But more drama unfolded Flenoy;who was identified as a the driver, tried to get away.
"He dove out of the passenger side window. As he dives out of the window, a weapon falls from his person," Gleaton said.
Anticipating a possible shootout, troopers took cover. But that allowed Flenoy to run down the 4th Avenue exit ramp.
"There was a vehicle sitting at the red light. He opened up the door and was attempting to pull the driver out of the vehicle," Gleaton said.
But authorities told WDEF that Flenoy’s attept to steal a car was unsuccessful. Flenoy did manage to get away on foot.
While one of the troopers gave chase on Flenoy, another trooper was left with three passengers who were in the car. Desiree Hester was one of them. But she took off on foot down the exit ramp.
Moments later, Chattanooga police were called to the 2000 block of South Lyerly Street where they say Hester carjacked a woman.
According to investigators, Hester struck the woman with the car as she drove off. The woman suffered a non-life threatening injury.
WDEF has learned that Flenoy is a convicted felon out of Nashville who already had warrants out for his arrest before the chase.
Authorities recovered the gun. Not only was it loaded but also came up as a weapon used in an aggravated burglary out of Clarksville Tennessee.
No charges were filed against the other two passengers who were initially taken into custody.
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