Smith sentenced for police chase: Report says he rammed police car in stolen vehicle
A man who led police on a high-speed chase which ended when he crashed his stolen vehicle across the street from police headquarters was sentenced to six years last week.
The defendant, Leslie Chad Smith, entered guilty pleas before Circuit Court Judge Bart Stanley to charges of aggravated assault, vandalism and theft. He was directed to serve 180 days of a six-year sentence, with the balance to be served on probation. He will also be responsible for nearly $9,000 in restitution owed to the various victims.
According to arrest warrants, patrolman Todd Rowland attempted to pull over the Chevy Blazer driven by Smith this July, prompting a high-speed chase going down Beersheba Street. The officer said he at first thought the chase was over when Smith hit a bridge abutment. However, when he exited his vehicle to check on Smith, the fugitive fired up the vehicle and began ramming his patrol car.
The chase then led back into town where Smith lost control on High Street, across from police headquarters, and rolled the vehicle into the backyard of the historic Black House, downing the institution’s back fence. Smith was caught moments later.
A subsequent investigation revealed Smith had stolen the vehicle earlier in the evening.
Amongst those owed money for his run from the law are the owner of the vehicle, who is to receive $5,500 restitution, the Black House, which is owed $2,970 for its back fence, and the police department which is owed $500 for damage to the patrol car which Smith rammed.