Note: The driver, LeAndrew Ricks, negotiated a guilty plea on the Fleeing charge and was sentenced to 36 months probation and community service.
Trooper's Report:
On May 14, 2022, at approximately 11:46PM, I (Trp Jacob Byrd) observed two black vehicles racing as they passed me on
Interstate 630 eastbound near Pine and Cedar. The vehicles were a Dodge Charger (V1) and a Dodge Challenger. The charger
was in front of the challenger initially.
As the vehicles past me, I used my front radar to confirm their speeds at approximately 107-mph. As I attempted to catch up to
both vehicles, I was not gaining any ground so I activated my emergency equipment and both vehicles began to flee at a high
rate of speed. I called the pursuit as we passed Pine and Cedar.
Near Woodrow, Trp. Bloch engaged in the pursuit as secondary
and both vehicles turned their lights off in an attempt to evade both of us while passing many other vehicles on the interstate at
high rates of speed. Speeds were consistently over 130-mph and at one point I reached 151-mph with both vehicles still pulling
away from me. As the pursuit neared Interstate 30, the Challenger made its way in front of V1. At this point, Trp. Bloch was no
longer in the pursuit and Trp. Martin engaged as secondary. The Challenger exited the Interstate at 9th Street and V1 took
Interstate 30 eastbound (I30EB). I followed V1 and attempted to PIT V1, but was unsuccessful.
The pursuit continued on I30EB until V1 exited at Curtis Sykes. Once V1 exited I was able to successfully PIT V1. At this time,
Trp. Martin, Trp. Bloch, and I, took the three occupants into custody without incident. A Glock 45 was confiscated and sent off
for ballistic testing.
V1 driver was charged with the following:
5-54-125(d)(2): FLEEING - FELONY - VEHICLE OR CONVEYANCE - SUBSTANTIAL DANGER OF DEATH FD
27-50-308(b)(1)(B) 1ST: RECKLESS DRIVING - 1ST
27-36-204: VEH LIGHTS - NO LIGHTS AT NIGHT
27-50-302(a)(7): SPEEDING - MORE THAN 15 MPH OVER LIMIT