High-Speed Chase in Northwest Georgia Ends in Arrest After Suspect Fires at Deputies, Found with Drugs and Guns

On Sunday, December 7, a dramatic multi-county pursuit ended with the arrest of 52-year-old Stephen Pyles of Jamestown, TN, following a dangerous and high-speed incident across Dade and Marion Counties.

Deputies first spotted Pyles’ vehicle around 11:30 p.m. in Wildwood, TN, for an equipment violation. When deputies attempted a traffic stop, Pyles refused to yield, executing a U-turn and accelerating onto Interstate 24 West. The vehicle fled into Marion County, where deputies attempted to end the chase with intentional vehicular contact. In a shocking turn, Pyles’ vehicle spun around and struck a Dade County Sergeant head-on. Despite extensive damage to his vehicle, he continued fleeing.

The chase finally ended near the outskirts of Jasper, TN, at the SR 28 and US 41 overpass, where Pyles crashed under the bridge. Upon officers’ arrival, he fired two shots at deputies before attempting to flee again. Law enforcement quickly subdued him.

Authorities discovered that Pyles was carrying three firearms, roughly half a pound each of suspected cocaine and methamphetamine, $28,000 in cash, and had outstanding felony warrants. No officers were seriously injured during the pursuit, and deputies did not return fire.

Pyles now faces charges including shooting at law enforcement officers, drug trafficking, felony fleeing, and multiple traffic violations. He is currently in custody in Marion County.

“Despite knowing how risky this job can be, our deputies put their uniforms on and leave their families every single day, hoping to get monsters just like this off of our streets,” said Dade County Sheriff Ray Cross. “This guy proved he would try to do absolutely anything not to get caught, but it didn’t work out for him. Society is better off with him off the streets.”

Sheriff Cross also praised the coordinated efforts between multiple agencies, including Trenton PD, Dade County Dispatch, Marion County Sheriff’s Office, and Jasper PD, emphasizing the importance of teamwork in safely ending high-risk pursuits.