Bartow County deputies arrested an 18-year-old Euharlee resident Monday night after a high-speed pursuit that ended when his vehicle left the roadway.
Around 10:21 p.m., a deputy monitored traffic near the intersection of Rockmart Highway and Brown Farm Road. He observed a white 2014 BMW 335i traveling southwest on Rockmart Highway with its lights off and at a high rate of speed. The deputy activated his emergency lights and siren to stop the vehicle.
The BMW accelerated. The deputy advised dispatch that he was pursuing the white BMW traveling south on Rockmart Highway with its lights off. The chase continued past Brown Farm Road toward the intersection of Old Alabama Road and Rockmart Highway, then toward Polk County. The driver turned right onto Richland Drive. The vehicle then left the roadway and entered a ditch, disabling it.
The deputy approached with his duty weapon drawn, ordered the driver to show his hands and exit, then directed him to the ground. He placed the driver in handcuffs. The deputy identified the driver as Ryan Thomas Arnold.
The deputy requested fire and EMS to evaluate Arnold for possible injuries.
While speaking by phone with his mother, Arnold stated he had been showing off by speeding past friends also traveling south on Rockmart. He said he chose not to stop when he saw the deputy.
The pursuit covered approximately 1.79 miles and reached speeds exceeding 130 miles per hour.
The deputy transported Arnold to the Bartow County Jail. Authorities charged him with felony attempt to elude a police officer, reckless driving, operating without required lights, driving too fast for conditions, failure to maintain lane, and a seat-belt violation.