Reckless Speeds, Drugs, And A Gun
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Friday, June 5, 2020, Oklahoma Highway Patrol (OHP) Trooper Lieutenant Vernon Roland radared a red 2019 Ford Fusion traveling southbound on Highway 69, north of Stringtown, at a speed of 111 miles per hour.
Lieutenant Roland attempted a traffic stop on the Fusion by activating his emergency lights and siren. The Fusion accelerated to 128 miles per hour, and began passing cars on the left and right trying to lose the trooper in the traffic.
Radioing dispatch, Lieutenant Roland was advised Atoka Police Officers Sergeant Jimmy Taylor and Taylor Wood, and Choctaw Tribal Officer Anthony Garvin were ready with Stop Sticks to deploy. Stop Sticks are a type of spike strip used to deflate the tires.
The Fusion passed two semi trucks on the right shoulder near the Harper’s Outlet, driving off into the ditch, and then back onto the road nearly causing the two vehicles to collide.
As the pursuit reached the city limits of Atoka, police officers deployed their Stop Sticks, but were unsuccessful. Tribal Officer Garvin was able to hit the vehicle tire successfully, deflating the right front tire.
The driver of the Fusion did not stop. Passing through the red light intersection of Court Street and Highway 69 with multiple vehicles at the red light at 128 miles per hour.
The Fusion blew out the deflated tire and began to slow, eventually stopping in the Western Auto parking lot.
Atoka County Sheriff Deputy Kody Simpson observed the front passenger to have a Smith and Wesson 9mm handgun. The passenger threw the gun under the vehicle. All three occupants of the vehicle were ordered to exit and placed under arrest.
Tribal Officer Garvin spoke to a witness who stated the front passenger of the vehicle pointed the firearm at Lieutenant Roland and OHP Trooper Tommy Allen as the pursuit passed Taco Mayo.
Located inside the vehicle were three opened bottles of liquor, three individually wrapped bags of marijuana, and loose marijuana. The hand gun was fully loaded with one bullet in the chamber.
The driver, Ricquiyia Pruitt, 27, of Saint Louis, Missouri is charged with: endangering other while eluding (felony); unlawful possession of controlled drug with intent to distribute (felony);
Possess firearm during commission of a felony (felony); three counts of running a roadblock (felonies) transporting loaded firearm in motor vehicle (misdemeanor); and transporting open container of alcoholic beverage (misdemeanor).
Front passenger, Justin Andrews, 26, of Belleville, Illinois is charged with: feloniously pointing firearm (felony); possession of firearm after former felony conviction (felony); unlawful possession of controlled drug with intent to distribute (felony); and transporting open container of alcoholic beverage (misdemeanor).
Back passenger, Marcel Dewayne King, 24, of East Saint Louis, Illinois is charged with: unlawful possession of controlled drug with intent to distribute (felony); possess firearm during commission of a felony (felony); and transporting open container of alcoholic beverage (misdemeanor).
King claimed he had nothing to do with the illegal activity.
