RACE TO MEMPHIS! Driver flees traffic stop & attempts to make it to freedom (Memphis) #pursuit

Trooper's Report:

On September 26, 2024, at approximately 7:52 P.M., I was traveling west on Southland Drive in my marked patrol car. I noticed a passenger car traveling east on Southland Drive at speeds above the posted 45 Miles Per Hour speed limit.

I activated my front radar and confirmed its speed at 61 miles per hour. I turned around and activated my blue lights to initiate a traffic stop. I
advised dispatch of the vehicle description and license plate. The car was a black Lexus G35, displaying a TN registration.

The car pulled to the right shoulder of the roadway and stopped. I exited my car and walked to the passenger side front
window. I introduced myself and told the driver the reason for the stop. I told the driver I stopped him for going 61 miles per hour in a 45 miles per hour zone. The driver said he did not realize he was going that fast. I asked the driver for his license, and he handed me a TN driver's license.

The license identified the driver as WILLIE AARON SMITH from Memphis, TN. While talking to SMITH, I smelled the odor of raw marijuana in the car. I asked SMITH if he had any marijuana in the car and he said he did not. I asked SMITH who owned the car, and he said it was his mother's car.

I asked SMITH to exit the car and meet me at the back of his car. SMITH hesitated and said, "I just left the casino". I said that
was ok and he began to exit the vehicle.
I walked to the back of the car and asked SMITH to put his hands on the trunk. I asked SMITH if he had any weapons on his
person and he said no. I asked SMITH again if he had any marijuana on his person or in the car. SMITH said he did not have
any marijuana. I asked SMITH if he was the only person who drives the car and he said yes he was. I walked to the passenger
window and looked in the car. I could not see any marijuana in the seat or the floorboard area. I walked around the car and
opened the driver's door and began to look in the driver's area. I could not see any marijuana in the driver's seat or the center console area. I walked back to SMITH and said I was not going to search him or his car any longer and would be back with him after I ran his license. I told SMITH he could have a seat back in his car. SMITH returned to his car and sat in the driver's seat.

I returned to my patrol car and began running SMITH's license on my in-car computer.

[Note: This portion of the report was redacted, but likely said the driver had warrant(s).]

I advised dispatch, activated my siren, and began to pursue SMITH east on Southland Drive. SMITH accelerated to speeds
near 100 miles per hour as he approached MLK BLVD. SMITH passed a commercial vehicle as it ran the stop sign at the
intersection. SMITH was going too fast to maintain control of his car and traveled into the northbound lanes of MLK, traveling
south. SMITH cut across the turning lane and back into the southbound lanes. SMITH turned left and entered the Interstate 40
eastbound on-ramp. SMITH was driving recklessly and with no regard for others on the roadway. SMITH accelerated to speeds
above 120 miles per hour, weaving in and out of traffic with no regard for the other motorists. I advised other Troopers in the
area of our travel direction and speeds. Due to heavy traffic and SMITH's reckless manner of driving, I was unable to gain
ground and successfully stop the pursuit. As we reached the state line, I terminated the pursuit. SMITH was last seen crossing
the Interstate 40 Bridge into Memphis, TN.

An affidavit was completed and a warrant has been issued for SMITH's arrest.