According to Centre Police Chief Kirk Blankenship, at approximately 4:20 Friday morning a silver Dodge Durango was observed by Officer Billy Flynt  near a local business on Chesnut Bypass.

Officer Flynt attempted to initiate a traffic stop near Northwood Drive. The suspect did not stop, and continued at very high rates of speed through Northwood Drive, Highway 9, and continued into Floyd County, Ga.

Once in Georgia, the Durango turned onto Old River Rd SW and attempted to turn onto Fosters Bend Rd, but lost control of the road and struck a power pole. The driver of the vehicle began to run but was quickly apprehended by law enforcement officers.

Richard Lee Hill, 35 years old, of Centre was arrested by a Floyd County Officer that had joined the pursuit in Georgia. Hill was arrested on charges of Attempting to Elude a Police Officer, Reckless Driving, and Resisting Arrest.

Chief Kirk Blankenship wishes to extend his appreciation to Jamie Parris of the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Department and Jamie Chapman of Leesburg Police Department for all of their help in the pursuit. Officer Chapman wasn’t even on duty at the time of the chase, but learned of it and left from his residence to assist.