The Duncan Banner

Homepage

March 20, 2013

Traffic stop prompts high speed chase

Megan Bristow The Duncan Banner

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.

Text Only
Local News
Features
Sports
Education
Opinion
  • Is it ‘coincidence’ the OCE has no teeth?

    Since I spend most of my working hours in offices in Duncan and Waurika, it’s nice both communities now have recycling programs so I can deposit the sticky notes that serve as my memory.

    May 19, 2013 1 Photo

  • Name new complex for Barnes

    Duncan High School’s new tennis complex, looking sharp in its blue and green U.S. Open color scheme, is drawing high praise for its quality and team impact.

    May 18, 2013 1 Photo

Special Deals
Facebook
The Duncan Banner on Facebook
Poll

The Oklahoma Lottery Ticket is $360 million for the May 15, 2013 drawing. Tell us:

Did you buy a ticket?
Forgot to buy a ticket?
Or do you just not play the lottery?
     View Results
AP Video
Texas Students Coach Teachers on Fitness New Forecasting Tool Eyed for Hurricane Season Meet MJ, the Bike Riding Tabby Cat Britain Attack Believed Linked to Radical Islam Raw: Kevin Durant Tours Moore After $1M Pledge Weiner Launches Bid to Become NYC Mayor Okla. Teens Get Video of Deadly Tornado Overhead Man Shot While Questioned in Boston Probe School Storm Protection Spotty in Tornado Zones 9-year-old Tornado Victim Loved Family, Singing Moore Native Toby Keith Tours Tornado Damage Oklahoma Survivors, Heroes Survey Damage Okla. City Mayor: Up to 13K Homes Hit by Tornado Raw: Aftermath of Deadly Attack in London Paperless Scanner, Vision of the Future Florida FBI Shooting Has Boston Bombing Links Garcetti Elected Los Angeles Mayor Over Greuel Raw: New Video of Deadly Oklahoma Tornado IRS Official Pleads 5th Amendment Lawyer: Feds Investigating Susan Powell Case