BY RACHEL DOVE
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN
PIKEVILLE — A high-speed police chase on U.S. 119 near Pikeville that is said to have reached speeds in excess of 135 mph Friday has landed a Mingo County man behind bars on nine charges, including first-degree wanton endangerment.
According to the criminal citation filed by Trooper A. Kranzman with Pikeville Post 9 of the KSP, he was on patrol along the four-lane highway near Pikeville when he observed a vehicle traveling at an excessive speed in the northbound lane. The trooper allegedly clocked the vehicle at 93 mph in a 55 mph zone via moving radar. Kranzman turned on the vehicle and began pursuit, but the driver only increased his rate of speed.
The police complaint reads that Jesse F. Smith, 48, of Matewan, W.Va., was observed operating a 2017 Nissan Rogue in a reckless manner, swerving in and out of traffic at high rates of speed. The trooper paced the vehicle to speeds that exceeded 135 mph as he attempted to catch up to Smith. Visual contact of the suspect was maintained throughout the chase. At one point, Smith initiated the flashing emergency lights on the Nissan but never decreased his speed.
After the chase continued for approximately 7.6 miles at speeds of 120 mph, Smith had to decelerate due to slow traffic in both lanes of the highway and could not pass those in front of him. At this time, the suspect did pull to the side of the road and the trooper initiated a traffic stop.
Upon making contact with Smith, the driver stated that his wife, who was a passenger in the vehicle, was having a seizure and he was trying to get her to the hospital. The trooper failed to find the story legit, as the driver had traveled past the exit to reach the Pikeville Medical Center. He also documented that the wife appeared to be under the influence but did not need medical care.
Kranzman allegedly observed Smith to have dilated pupils and noted he was acting in a nervous and jittery manner and appeared to be under the influence. Smith was ordered to exit the vehicle and a standardized field sobriety test was administered, which Smith was unable to successfully complete. He was placed under arrest at that time.
After returning to the Nissan, the trooper discovered Smith’s son in the rear seat of the vehicle. According to the trooper, the child had been placed in danger by his father’s reckless behavior during the chase and by traveling with two intoxicated parents.
An NCIC search revealed that Smith was operating the vehicle on a W.Va. suspended license and had three warrants for his arrest in the state of Kentucky on unrelated charges. The Nissan had been registered in the state of Tennessee and expired in October 2022 and was not covered under a valid insurance policy.
Smith was transported to PMC where he waived his right to an attorney and consented to a blood toxicology screen. Smith then requested that a second private screen be performed at ARH in South Williamson, but his request was denied due to time restraints and the suspect’s inability to pay for the independent testing.
Smith was then taken to the Pike County Detention Center where he was booked on charges of speeding 26 miles or more over the speed limit, operating a motor vehicle under the influence of a controlled substance, reckless driving, wanton endangerment, first degree, operating on a suspended or revoked license, failure to give proper signal, failure to wear seat belt, no registration receipt and no registration plates.