The Duncan Banner

Local News

March 20, 2013

Traffic stop prompts high speed chase

DUNCAN — James Lee Mendinghall’s speedy cruise around Duncan landed him in the Stephens Jail early Saturday morning for eluding a police officer.

At approximately 4:42 a.m. Saturday, Duncan Police Officer David Martin turned on the sirens for what should have been an ordinary traffic violation, failing to observe a stop sign at the intersection of Sixth Street and Hickory Avenue. In a court affidavit, Martin said Mendinghall chose to proceed westbound on Hickory Avenue instead of stopping and almost collided with a truck at the intersection of 13th Street and Hickory Avenue.

The vehicle pursuit continued through Duncan until Mendinghall turned north on 44th Street from Beech Avenue. With the help of Lt. John Webb, Martin was able to stop the vehicle causing Mendinghall spin out in a flat bar ditch on 44th Street.

He exited the vehicle and ran about 50 yards before Martin tackled him. Despite being tackled, Martin said Mendinhall continued to resist arrest making it necessary to employ pain compliance techniques.

Martin and Webb were able to eventually gain control of the victim, place him handcuffs to transport him to the Stephens County Jail. Charges for endangering others while eluding or attempting to elude a police officer, and driving under suspension were filed by the Stephens County District Attorney’s Office on Monday.

He appeared in court Tuesday morning and is expected to appear again for a preliminary hearing conference at 9 a.m. May 29. Bail was set at $50,000.

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