Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

High Speed Chase Ends In DWI Arrest For Nevada County Man

Officers with the Nevada County Sheriff's Office were involved in a high speed chase Friday, Dec. 10.

According to Sheriff Steve Otwell, at about 2 p.m. he and Chief Deputy Wally Hulan were going to the scene of a welfare case on Highway 67 North.

Hulan arrived at the scene first and radioed back to let Otwell know everything was all right.

Otwell turned around and was returning to the NCSO when he saw an older model Ford LTD traveling at a high rate of speed on Hale Ave. by the defunct Nevada County Hospital.

He slowed down as it appeared the motorist, Joe Smith, 38, of Prescott, wouldn't be able to stop at the sign.

Smith slid through the turn and headed in the direction of Gurdon. Otwell radioed Hulan to have him stop the Smith vehicle.

Hulan, Otwell said, stopped in the curve near the Prescott Country Club, but Smith sped passed him, passing two other vehicles on the shoulder of the road.

Hulan and Otwell began chasing Smith with speeds reaching 95 miles per hour. The Gurdon Police Department and Clark County Sheriff's Office were called for assistance.

Once Smith reached the bridge at the Little Missouri River, Otwell said, he slowed to 55 mph, but still wouldn't stop.

In fact, he didn't stop until he spotted a CCSO deputy with the light's flashing.

Once stopped, Smith claimed he didn't know anyone wanted him to stop and hadn't heard the sirens.

He was arrested and returned to the NCSO, where he registered a 0.2 on the breath test, or twice the legal limit.

Smith was charged with his second offense of driving while intoxicated, fleeing and reckless driving.

To compound his problems, there were outstanding warrants on him in Nevada County for failure to appear, failure to comply and violation of the Arkansas Hot Check law.

He is currently being held in the Nevada County jail.