Man Leads Deputy on High-Speed Chase

Authorities arrested a St. Louis County man who led deputies on a high-speed chase on Interstate 44 early Monday morning.

The suspect, a 19-year-old Richmond Heights man, was booked on suspicion of resisting arrest and traffic violations, the sheriff’s office reported.

His name was not released because he has not been formally charged.

The pursuit began about 12:06 a.m. when a deputy near the 248-mile marker, east of Highway 50, noticed an eastbound car approaching him from behind at a high rate of speed. The car registered 121 mph on the deputy’s radar unit.

The deputy attempted to stop the vehicle but the driver sped off, slowing to about 80 mph, but passing other vehicles on the left shoulder of the passing lane.

The driver finally pulled over near the Highway 100 Washington exit and was taken into custody.

A passenger in the vehicle said the driver panicked and fled because they had beer in the car.

Two other St. Louis area men, ages 19 and 20, also were in the car.