On September 21, 2023 at approximately 8:00 a.m., a City Officer was traveling East on Hwy 70 West near the end of the Airport. The officer  was behind two vehicles when they were all passed by a white and green motorcycle traveling at a high rate of speed. The motorcycle split the East and West lanes by traveling on the double yellow center lines. The officer estimated his speed at this time to be 85mph. He activated his blue lights and siren to get the suspect later identified as Gabriel Newton, DOB 10/24/04 to stop. Traffic pulled to the right and allowed the officer to pass and he caught up to the motorcycle as it got caught up in traffic. At that time the officer was able to give dispatch three letters off the suspect’s license plate but then he took off again, passing traffic on the road’s right shoulder as he approached the red light at North West Connector and Tennessee Avenue. He failed to stop at the red light and went head-on with traffic as he cut around traffic stopped for the red light. He took off again at a high rate of speed. The officer kept the suspect in sight and called into dispatch the location. As other officers approached Holiday Drive, the suspect continued to pass traffic on the right and left side of the road. The suspect turned right onto Holiday Drive and stopped his motorcycle.

He surrendered without further incident. He repeatedly stated, “he was sorry and was late for his class at T-CAT, and he was also low on gas.  One officer was quoted as saying “The defendant recklessly engaged in conduct that placed several people in imminent danger of death or serious bodily injury during this incident.” An officer arrested the suspect, and another transported the suspect to intake for booking. While at intake the suspect was issued City Citations for Violation of the light law (No Brake Light) and Expired Registration. Lantana Motors towed his motorcycle.