Not that we condone such activity, but if you plan to flee officers in your vehicle, don’t use a road with a bridge washed out as your escape route.
Deputies responded to a house on Poplar Springs Road Wednesday afternoon where they believed suspect Billy Mathes was staying. Mathes is wanted on several outstanding warrants.
He was sitting in a car along side the residence when deputies arrived and attempted to leave the scene. Deputy Charles Jessee approached the vehicle and attempted to open the door as Mathes sped away. Deputies then pursued the car in their cruisers. The suspect was driving toward what was Easterly Bridge before the flood. Mathes then turned into the entrance at the boat ramp with signs clearly posted “no vehicle past this point”. He then drove over an embankment and the vehicle became stuck. Mathes fled on foot into a thicket but a search using the K9 was unsuccessful.
Once he is apprehended, authorities say he is facing additional charges of felony evading, evading, resisting stop, halt, frisk, driving on revoked second, trespassing and reckless endangerment.
Sheriff Wesley Holt says anyone with information about the man’s whereabouts should call Greene County 9-1-1.
