A Texas man says he doesn't regret a 100-mile chase that began in Texas and ended in eastern New Mexico after tire deflation devices were used to stop his speeding car.
Authorities say 24-year-old Christopher Sharp of Lubbock refused to stop early Sunday morning after being clocked by police in the Texas city of Canyon while at 120 mph.
In an interview with the Portales News-Tribune, Sharp said he took off because he didn't have a driver's license or ID on him and thought he could get away by crossing the state line.
"I don't regret any of it," Sharp said Monday night, claiming he decided to run because he didn't have a driver's license or an ID on him. "It was more about getting away. I floored it the whole way."
Sharp was booked into the Roosevelt County Detention Center on Sunday on a charge of aggravated fleeing from police.
Narrative from New Mexico Department of Public Safety:
Roosevelt County–On Sunday, April 7, 2013, at approximately 1:53 a.m., the New Mexico State Police was notified of a high speed vehicle pursuit in Texas, which was entering New Mexico.
The Texas Highway Patrol advised that earlier, the Canyon Police Department measured the vehicle’s speed by radar at 120 miles per hour, TX authorities attempted to stop the vehicle; but lost sight of the vehicle near Umbarger, TX. The vehicle was described as at white 1999 Nissan four door sedan.
A short time later, the vehicle passed a Texas Highway Patrol trooper on US 60 near Hereford, TX, at 118 miles per hour, resulting with the trooper engaging in the pursuit of the vehicle. As the chase continued, officers from Bovina, Farwell, and Parmer County Sheriff’s Department discontinued in the pursuit.
The pursuit entered New Mexico on State Road 202 in northeastern Roosevelt County. The New Mexico State Police deployed stop sticks (tire deflation device), striking three of the four tires. State Police utilize a trained method when deploying stop sticks. The Nissan continued a short distance and came to a stop near mile marker two on State Road 202 (two miles from the US 70 junction).
The driver, Christopher Sharp and passenger Toni Rodriguez were taken into custody without further incident. Sharp was charged with Aggravated Fleeing a Law Enforcement Officer. Rodriguez was charged with Accessory to Aggravated Fleeing a Law Enforcement Officer. Both were booked into the Roosevelt County Detention Center.
Charges are also pending by the Texas authorities.
Had it not been for the skilled training of the deployment of stop sticks by State Police, this pursuit could have ended in dire consequences. The fleeing felons may have escaped, or an innocent NM motorist could’ve been struck, being severely injured or killed.
