Ashe County Sheriff Deputy Hospitalized After Late Night Pursuit

Sheriff Deputy Hospitalized After Late Night Pursuit

Sheriff B. Phil Howell reports that a late-night chase ends with the subject on the loose in
Tennessee and a Deputy in a hospital.

On Tuesday, November 21st, 2023, at approximately 11:30 pm, Ashe County Sheriff Deputies
were actively patrolling the Creston area of Sutherland Road when they attempted to stop a
white Honda Accord. The suspect was able to reach high speeds over an estimated 100 miles
per hour.

Ashe Sheriff’s Deputies terminated the pursuit but were able to make contact with the vehicle
again after saturating the area and subsequently re-activating the chase once again.
While still in pursuit on McEwen Road in Tennessee, the suspect had wrecked his car on the
other side of a curve. The vehicle was totaled, and the suspect fled on foot immediately.
Deputy Jacob Pruitt pursued around the same bend where he was forced off the road in an
attempt to not collide with the wrecked vehicle.

Deputy Pruitt was found unconscious by Deputy Josh Carter, who searched the immediate
area for the suspect and began life-saving measures for Deputy Pruitt. He was transported to
the nearest hospital in Mountain City, TN, where he was released with a concussion early
Wednesday morning.

“The suspect is unidentified at this time and remains on the loose. He may be injured and
armed, so please be cautious. We believe we have enough items from the vehicle to identify
the subject, but ask the community if they know the individual, to please reach out; that
would speed up the process. Our Deputies did a great job initiating the suspect in the
Sutherland area and attempting to be safe while they also pursued a local drug criminal. We
are glad to see that Jacob was released and made it home safe”. ~Sheriff Howell
Don’t hesitate to contact the Ashe County Sheriff’s Office at 336-846-5600 or Ashe Crime
Stoppers at 336-846-4188 if you have any information on the suspect’s identity or
whereabouts.